La faute des hommes superieurs est de depenser leurs jeunes annees a se rendre dignes de la faveur. Pendant qu'ils thesaurisent, leur force est la science pour porter sans effort le poids d'une puissance qui les fuit; les intrigants, riches de mots et depourvus d'idees, vont et viennent, surprennent les sots, et se logent dans la confiance des demi-niais.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- He criticizes superior men who spend youth seeking favor, while the powerful rely on science; opportunists with words but no ideas deceive the half‑wit.
- In plain terms
- Upper‑class men waste youth chasing favor, while true power comes from knowledge; wordy opportunists fool the gullible.
- What can you take from it?
- Value substance over superficial ambition.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What truly sustains power?
- How can we distinguish genuine expertise?
Another view
It paints a broad picture that may not apply to all individuals.
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