“The art of using moderate abilities to advantage wins praise, and often acquires more reputation than actual brilliancy.”

—  François de La Rochefoucauld , book Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims

Maxim 162.
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665–1678)

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François de La Rochefoucauld 156
French author of maxims and memoirs 1613–1680

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