Absence diminishes mediocre passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and fans fires.

They that apply themselves to trifling matters commonly become incapable of great ones.

We only acknowledge small faults in order to make it appear that we are free from great ones.

Absence diminishes little passions and increases great ones, as wind extinguishes candles and fans a fire.

As great minds have the faculty of saying a great deal in a few words, so lesser minds have a talent of talking much, and saying nothing.

Absence diminishes little passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and fans a fire. [Fr., L'absence diminue les mediocres passions et augmente les grandes, comme le vent eteint les bougies et allume le feu.]