French author (1613-1680)
Did we not flatter ourselves, the flattery of others could never hurt us.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Hypocrisy is the homage of vice to virtue.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
We may appear great in an employment below our merit; but we often appear little in an employment that is too great for us.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Some weak people are sensible of their weakness and able to make good use of it.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Whatever care we take to conceal our passions under the appearance of piety and honor, they are always to be seen through these veils.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
A man cannot please long who has only one kind of wit.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
We love much better those who endeavor to imitate us, than those who strive to equal us. For imitation is a sign of esteem, but competition of envy.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Constancy in love ... is only inconstancy confined to one object.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
There is a season for man's merit as well as for fruit.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Maxims
Jealousy is always born with love, but doesn't always die with it.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Nothing is less sincere than the manner of asking and giving advice. He who asks it seems to have a respectful deference for the opinion of his friend; though he only aims at making him approve his own, and be responsible for his conduct. And he who gives it, repays the confidence reposed in him by a seemingly disinterested zeal; though he seldom means anything by the advice he gives but his own interest or reputation.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
The rust of business is sometimes polished off in a camp; but never in a court.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Our actions are like blank rhymes, to which everyone applies what sense he pleases.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
We judge so superficially of things, that common words and actions spoke and done in an agreeable manner, with some knowledge of what passes in the world, often succeed beyond the greatest ability.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
We sometimes condemn the present, by praising the past; and show our contempt of what is now, by our esteem for what is no more.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
We should not be much concerned about faults we have the courage to own.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
There are crimes which become innocent, and even glorious, through their splendor, number, and excess: Hence it is, that public theft is called Address, and to seize on Provinces unjustly, to make Conquests.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
The head can't long act the part of the heart.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
What seems like generosity is often but a disguised ambition, which overlooks little interests, in order to gratify great ones.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
There are no accidents so unlucky but the prudent may draw some advantage from them.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims