I have taken it into my head to compile the largest collection possible of the errors found in Dictionaries [...].
1697
Source: Historical and Critical Dictionary/Project, 1692
Pierre Bayle
Pierre Bayle (18 November 1647 – 28 December 1706) was a French philosopher and writer best known for his seminal work the Historical and Critical Dictionary, published beginning in 1697.
He wants to correct the Dictionaries; it is [...] worse than fighting monsters; it is to want to extirpate the heads of the Hydra; it is, at least, to want to clean the Augean stables.
1697
Source: Historical and Critical Dictionary/Project, 1692
When it comes to compositions, one must never force one's genius.
1697
Source: Historical and Critical Dictionary/Project, 1692
The whims of men and chance dominate there in a strange way.
1697
Source: Historical and Critical Dictionary/Project, 1692
What would it be, after all, but a deprivation of praise, that is to say, nothing for a man who has never governed himself [...] by this principle?
1697
Source: Historical and Critical Dictionary/Project, 1692
Natural patience, combined with the habit of busying oneself only with one's books [...] and fleeing like the plague the ways of those meddlesome spirits [...] can make up for many things.
1697
Source: Historical and Critical Dictionary/Project, 1692
A scholarly Critic who goes hunting for errors must be assured that he will discover many.
1697
Source: Historical and Critical Dictionary/Project, 1692
One will easily agree that there are infinite errors in books, if one considers that the Writings of the greatest men are not exempt from them.
1697
Source: Historical and Critical Dictionary/Project, 1692
In matters of consolation, one is more touched by popular and specious thoughts than by reasoning most in conformity with the rules of Logic.
1697
Source: Historical and Critical Dictionary/Project, 1692
No one was ashamed to be vanquished after Carthage was vanquished.
1697
Source: Historical and Critical Dictionary/Project, 1692
There is no trial where it is more necessary to hear both sides than in those that arise between learned people.
1697
Source: Historical and Critical Dictionary/Project, 1692
A fool is he who trusts the remarks of the aggressor: prudence demands that one waits for what will be answered to him.
1697
Source: Historical and Critical Dictionary/Project, 1692
Man would rather do himself harm, provided he does harm to his enemy, than procure a good for himself that would turn to his enemy's profit.
1697
Source: Historical and Critical Dictionary/Project, 1692
One will admit, at the very least, that the most learned men give cause to be censured in their turn.
1697
Source: Historical and Critical Dictionary/Project, 1692
What is there that cannot become suspect of falsehood to those who do not hold the key to the sources?
1697
Source: Historical and Critical Dictionary/Project, 1692