Jean de la Bruyere Quotes

Moral vices prosper by dressing themselves as virtues.

Our virtues are most frequently but vices disguised.

Fewer possess virtue, than those who wish us to believe that they possess it.

Hypocrisy is the tribute that vice pays to virtue.

Hypocrisy is the homage vice pays to virtue.

Vice, in its true light, is so deformed, that it shocks us at first sight; and would hardly ever seduce us, if it did not at first wear the mask of some virtue.

Our virtues are often, in reality, no better than vices disguised.

Hypocrisy is an homage that vice renders to virtue.

O vanity, how little is thy force acknowledged or thy operations discerned! How wantonly dost thou deceive mankind under different disguises! Sometimes thou dost wear the face of pity; sometimes of generosity; nay, thou hast the assurance to put on those glorious ornaments which belong only to heroic virtue.

False modesty is the masterpiece of vanity: showing the vain man in such an illusory light that he appears in the reputation of the virtue quite opposite to the vice which constitutes his real character; it is a deceit.

Satan often paints sin with virtue's colors.

Innocence alone dares commit certain acts of audacity. Virtue, when tutored, is as calculating as vice.

Virtue sometimes pretends. Vice is always sincere.

Vice deceives us when dressed in the garb of virtue.

Cunning is none of the best nor worst qualities; it floats between virtue and vice; there is scarce any exigence where it may not, and perhaps ought not to be supplied by prudence.

Virtue by calculation is the virtue of vice.

When our vices desert us, we flatter ourselves that we are deserting our vices.

Virtue, I grant you, is an empty boast; But shall the dignity of vice be lost?

Where virtue is, sensibility is the ornament and becoming attire of virtue. On certain occasions it may almost be said to become virtue. But sensibility and all the amiable qualities may likewise become, and too often have become, the panders of vice and the instruments of seduction.

There is some virtue in almost every vice, except hypocrisy; and even that, while it is a mockery of virtue, is at the same time a compliment to it.

For every man's nature is concealed with many folds of disguise, and covered as it were with various veils. His brows, his eyes, and very often his countenance, are deceitful, and his speech is most commonly a lie.

Flatterers are the worst kind of traitors, for they will strengthen thy imperfections, encourage thee in all evils, correct thee in nothing, but so shadow and paint thy follies and vices as thou shalt never, by their will, discover good from evil, or vice from virtue.

Women who are the least bashful are not unfrequently the most modest; and we are never more deceived than when we would infer any laxity of principle from that freedom of demeanor which often arises from a total ignorance of vice.

I am not merry, but I do beguile the thing I am by seeming otherwise.