The Characters [Les Caractères], ch. 2 "Of Personal Merit [Du Mérite Personnel]," § 17 (2.17) (1688) [tr. Van Laun (1885)] - La Bruyere, Jean de | WIST Quotations

A plain appearance is to ordinary men their proper garb: it suits them and fits them, but it adorns those persons whose lives have been distinguished by grand deeds; I compare them to a beauty who is most charming in négligé. [Un extérieur simple est l’habit des hommes vulgaires, il…