We do not like to praise, and seldom praise anyone without self-interest. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
There are reproaches which praise, and praises which defame. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Criticism sometimes is really praise, and praise sometimes slander. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We seldom praise anyone in good earnest, except such as admire us. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
To praise great actions is in some sense to share them. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
If we never flattered ourselves we should have but scant pleasure. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
To praise great actions with sincerity may be said to be taking part in them. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We own up to minor failings, but only so as to convince others that we have no major ones. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
None deserve praise for being good who have not the spirit to be bad: goodness, for the most part, is nothing but… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We sometimes condemn the present, by praising the past; and show our contempt of what is now, by our esteem for what… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The mark of extraordinary merit is to see those most envious of it constrained to praise. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Few people have the wisdom to prefer the criticism that would do them good, to the praise that deceives them. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
There is no praise we have not lavished upon prudence; and yet she cannot assure to us the most trifling event. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The desire which urges us to deserve praise strengthens our good qualities, and praise given to wit, valour, and beauty, tends to… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Praise is a more ingenious, concealed, and subtle kind of flattery, that satisfies both the giver and the receiver, though by verydifferent… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Praise is flattery, artful, hidden, delicate, which gratifies differently him who praises and him who is praised. The one takes it as… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Nothing should lessen our satisfaction with ourselves as much as when we notice that we disapprove of something at one time that… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It is oftener by the estimation of our own feelings that we exaggerate the good qualities of others than by their merit,… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We are not fond of praising, and never praise any one except from interested motives. Praise is a clever, concealed, and delicate… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Everyone praises his heart, none dare praise their understanding. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The praise we give to new comers into the world arises from the envy we bear to those who are established. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Flattery is a counterfeit money which, but for vanity, would have no circulation. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We wish to attract praise to ourselves even as we seem to be praising others — François De La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Were we faultless, we would not derive such satisfaction from remarking the faults of others. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Generally speaking, we would make a good bargain by renouncing all the good that people say of us, upon condition they would… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
If we had no faults of our own, we would not take so much pleasure in noticing those of others. — François De La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
He who refuses praise the first time that it is offered does so because he would hear it a second time. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The exceeding delight we take in talking about ourselves should give us cause to fear that we are giving but very little… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We confess our little faults to persuade people that we have no large ones. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
If we had no faults of our own, we should not take so much pleasure in noticing those in others. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
To praise princes for virtues they are lacking in is a way of insulting them with impunity — François De La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Magnanimity is sufficiently defined by its name, nevertheless one can say it is the good sense of pride, the most noble way… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
When we disclaim praise, it is only showing our desire to be praised a second time. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We do not praise others, ordinarily, but in order to be praised ourselves. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We often make use of envenomed praise, that reveals on the rebound, as it were, defects in those praised which we dare… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We often select envenomed praise which, by a reaction upon those we praise, shows faults we could not have shown by other… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
“If we had no faults we should not take so much pleasure in noting those of others.” — François de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Our own distrust gives a fair pretence for the knavery of other people. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
Behind many acts that are thought ridiculous there lie wise and weighty motives. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
“Passion often makes a madman of the cleverest man, and renders the greatest fools clever.” — François de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
Perseverance is neither praiseworthy nor blameworthy; for it seems to be only the enduring of certain inclinations and opinions which men neither give themselves… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
A woman is faithful to her first lover for a long time - unless she happens to take a second. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
We are almost always wearied in the company of persons with whom we are not permitted to be weary. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
The love of new acquaintance comes not so much from being weary of what we had before, or from any satisfaction there is in… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
It is sometimes necessary to play the fool to avoid being deceived by cunning men. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
The intention of never deceiving often exposes us to deception. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
Jealousy springs more from love of self than from love of another. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
Jealousy is always born with love, but does not die with it. In jealousy there is more of self-love than of love to another. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
The greatest of all gifts is the power to estimate things at their true worth — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
We have not strength enough to follow our reason so far as it would carry us. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
