In The Story of Civilization, Will and Ariel Durant often write with both wit and wisdom. Let’s look at a few of these bon mots from Volume VIII: The Age of Louis XIV.
When Nino allowed her promiscuity to be too prominent, Anne of Austria ordered her confinement in a convent; there, we are told, she charmed the nuns by her wit and vivacity, and enjoyed her imprisonment as a restful vacation. (Page 29)
When Nino allowed her promiscuity to be too prominent, Anne of Austria ordered her confinement in a convent; there, we are told, she charmed the nuns by her wit and vivacity, and enjoyed her imprisonment as a restful vacation. (Page 29)
It is the women of France, even more than her writers and artists, who are the crowns of her civilization, and the special glory of her history. (Page 31)
In the portraits that have come down to us these ladies seem a bit ponderous, overflowing their corsages; but apparently the men of that time liked an adipose warmth in their amours. (31. Note: Adipose is bodily tissue used for the storage of fat, and may prove useful at times. Example: “Do I look fat in this dress?” “No, my dear, your adipose frame is as becoming as usual.")
It had taken him almost half a century to discover that to be loved is worth monogamy. (Page 41. Durant on Louis XIV and his love for Maintenon).
We forget that religion was then as important as politics seem now. (Page 69)
Moliere apparently did not think himself her father; and we may allow that he was slightly better informed on that point then we can be. (111. The playwright had cohabited with Madeleine Bejart for twenty years, then married her daughter Armande. Some of his enemies accused Moliere of marrying his own daughter. Moliere denied it. To be far to him, the good Madeleine had other lovers.)
Should we always speak the truth, or should we substitute courtesy for truth in order to get along in the world? (121.)
She had an attentive husband but a bewitching voice; Racine eluded the one and surrendered to the other. (137. Durant is writing here of an actress, Marie Champmesle, who became Racine’s mistress for a time.)
No one has yet reconciled Christianity with government. (192. Durant here is writing of Cromwell and the Interregnum period.)
Censorship was now more severe than at any time in England’s history, following the general rule that censorship increases with the insecurity of the government. (227. A little like our electronic censorship today)
We have so little leisure now that we have invented so many labor-saving devices. (235. Durant is offering a list of explanations as to why so few people read Milton today, or any other poet for that matter.)
It is disturbing to learn that even in hell we shall have to listen to lectures. (238. Durant on Milton and Satan’s rhetorical speeches.)
“Be silent, good people; I am the Protestant whore.” (249. King Charles II was a womanizer, which few minded, but was sympathetic to Catholicism, which many minded. Once when one of his lovers, Nell Gwynn, was riding in public in a coach, a mob, believing her to be the king’s Catholic mistress, surrounded the vehicle, and began calling out insults and threats. The spunky Nell leaned out of the coach window and cried out these words, instantly appeasing her assailants.)
In the portraits that have come down to us these ladies seem a bit ponderous, overflowing their corsages; but apparently the men of that time liked an adipose warmth in their amours. (31. Note: Adipose is bodily tissue used for the storage of fat, and may prove useful at times. Example: “Do I look fat in this dress?” “No, my dear, your adipose frame is as becoming as usual.")
It had taken him almost half a century to discover that to be loved is worth monogamy. (Page 41. Durant on Louis XIV and his love for Maintenon).
We forget that religion was then as important as politics seem now. (Page 69)
Moliere apparently did not think himself her father; and we may allow that he was slightly better informed on that point then we can be. (111. The playwright had cohabited with Madeleine Bejart for twenty years, then married her daughter Armande. Some of his enemies accused Moliere of marrying his own daughter. Moliere denied it. To be far to him, the good Madeleine had other lovers.)
Should we always speak the truth, or should we substitute courtesy for truth in order to get along in the world? (121.)
She had an attentive husband but a bewitching voice; Racine eluded the one and surrendered to the other. (137. Durant is writing here of an actress, Marie Champmesle, who became Racine’s mistress for a time.)
No one has yet reconciled Christianity with government. (192. Durant here is writing of Cromwell and the Interregnum period.)
Censorship was now more severe than at any time in England’s history, following the general rule that censorship increases with the insecurity of the government. (227. A little like our electronic censorship today)
We have so little leisure now that we have invented so many labor-saving devices. (235. Durant is offering a list of explanations as to why so few people read Milton today, or any other poet for that matter.)
It is disturbing to learn that even in hell we shall have to listen to lectures. (238. Durant on Milton and Satan’s rhetorical speeches.)
“Be silent, good people; I am the Protestant whore.” (249. King Charles II was a womanizer, which few minded, but was sympathetic to Catholicism, which many minded. Once when one of his lovers, Nell Gwynn, was riding in public in a coach, a mob, believing her to be the king’s Catholic mistress, surrounded the vehicle, and began calling out insults and threats. The spunky Nell leaned out of the coach window and cried out these words, instantly appeasing her assailants.)