French author (1613-1680)
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
We have no more control over the duration of our passions than we do over the duration of our life.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
Quarrels would not last long if the fault was only on one side.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
The dullness of certain people is sometimes a sufficient security against the attack of an artful man.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
It is far easier to know men than to know man.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
What makes the vanity of others unsupportable is that it wounds our own.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
We easily forgive in our friends those faults we do not perceive.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
Sometimes we meet a fool with wit, never one with discretion.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
Of all the violent passions, the one that becomes a woman best is love.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
Envy is destroyed by true friendship, and coquetry by true love.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
'Tis as easy to deceive ourselves without our perceiving it, as 'tis difficult to deceive others without their perceiving it.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
The ambitious deceive themselves in proposing an end to their ambition; that end, when attained, becomes a means.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
The constancy of the wise is only the talent of concealing the agitation of their hearts.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
Death and the sun can't be looked at steadily.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Misers mistake gold for their good; whereas 'tis only a means of attaining it.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Fortune turns everything to the advantage of her favorites.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
We may say of agreeableness, as distinct from beauty, that it is a symmetry whose rules are unknown.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
We try to make a virtue of vices we are loath to correct.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
To praise great actions is in some sense to share them.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Those who have the most cunning affect all their lives to condemn cunning; that they may make use of it on some great occasion, and to some great end.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims