Nicolas Chamfort Quotes

The contemplative life is often miserable. One must act more, think less, and not watch oneself live.

When morning comes, you would better find yourself saying: 'I have so many choices of what to do or what to leave - every morning, every day. I better judge for myself, and - go ahead and do it.'

For me, writing is a way of thinking. I write in a journal a lot. I'm a very impatient person, so writing and meditation allow me to slow down and watch my mind; they are containers that keep me in place, hold me still.

I'm realising now that I can't just blurt things out.

For true success ask yourself these four questions: Why? Why not? Why not me? Why not now?

Meditation is the life of the soul: Action, the soul of meditation; and honor the reward of action.

The wise man knows how to run his life so that contemplation is Possible.

What you don't do is as important as what you do.

I don't plan to go out and do action or not do action.

I never let myself get ahead of myself.

I try to live in the moment and not overthink things because then you start putting yourself in situations that you don't want to be in pressure-wise.

I'm here in the present, and I want to make sure I don't stumble on my own feet.

I lay back and see how I can do things the right way.

Follow effective action with quiet reflection.

What we lack is not so much leisure to do as time to reflect and time to feel. What we seldom "take" is time to experience the things that have happened, the things that are happening, the things that are still ahead of us.

Some people observe life naturally and sometimes you just have to let things out and think about it later.

Sometimes too much thinking leads to the Death of Doing

Most true happiness comes from one's inner life, from the disposition of the mind and soul. Admittedly, a good inner life is difficult to achieve, especially in these trying times. It takes reflection and contemplation and self-discipline.

Its never too late to take a moment to look.

We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock.

I was never idle long enough to do much thinking, but I felt somehow that my instincts were right.

Maybe sometimes I'm such a thinker, I reevaluate too much. Sometimes when it comes down to it, I really don't need to do anything, I don't really need to change anything. I need to just keep plugging away, working at it.

I don't really take a step back too often to see what's going on.

Pausing between stimulus and response allows you to show up in your life.

Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well.