Products of the Perfected Civilization Quotes

“An economist is a surgeon with an excellent scalpel and a rough-edged lancet, who operates beautifully on the dead and tortures the living.”
― Nicolas Chamfort, Products of the Perfected Civilization: Selected Writings

“The moment when one loses the illusions and passions of youth often leaves regrets, but sometimes we hate the spell that deceived us. So it is that Armida burns and razes the palace where she was enchanted.”
― Nicolas Chamfort, Products of the Perfected Civilization: Selected Writings

“We must know how to perform the foolishness our characters require.”
― Nicolas Chamfort, Products of the Perfected Civilization: Selected Writings

“M. de——, passionately in love after having lived for some years in indifference, said to his friends who laughed at what they called his premature old age, "Your timing's poor. I was very old indeed a few years ago, but I'm very young at the moment.”
― Nicolas Chamfort, Products of the Perfected Civilization: Selected Writings

“One obliterates one's character for fear of being noticed and stared at, and flings oneself headlong into nullity to escape the threat of portrayal.”
― Nicolas Chamfort, Products of the Perfected Civilization: Selected Writings