French author (1613-1680)
Everyone takes pleasure in returning small obligations, many people acknowledge moderate ones; but there are only a scarce few who do not pay great ones with ingratitude.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
We always love those who admire us, and we do not always love those whom we admire.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Maxims
'Tis much easier to suppress a first desire, than to satisfy all those that follow it.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
If vanity does not overthrow all virtues, at least she makes them totter.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
Ordinary men commonly condemn what is beyond them.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
'Tis a sort of coquetry to boast that we never coquet.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Kings make men as they do pieces of money; they put what value they please on them, and we are compelled to receive them according to the value put on them, and not according to their true worth.
LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
attributed, Day's Collacon
We promise according to our hopes, and perform according to our fears.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Maxims
The most violent passions have their intermissions; vanity alone gives us no respite.
LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
attributed, Day's Collacon
It is pointless for a woman to be young unless pretty, or to be pretty unless young.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
We easily forget crimes that are known to none but ourselves.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
There are few virtuous women who are not tired of their part.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
The world oftener rewards the appearance of merit than merit itself.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
We seldom find people ungrateful so long as we are in a condition to render them service.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Maxims and Moral Reflections
The greatest miracle of love is the reformation of a coquette.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
That man who has never been in danger cannot answer for his courage.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
That conduct often seems ridiculous the secret reasons of which are wise and solid.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Our virtues are usually just vices in disguise.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
In all aspects of life, we take on a part and an appearance to seem to be what we wish to be--and thus the world is merely composed of actors.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; Or, Sentences and Moral Maxims
Civility is a desire to receive civilities, and to be accounted well-bred.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims