To be a great man it is necessary to know how to profit by the whole of our good fortune. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Many people despise wealth, but few know how to give it away. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Our wisdom is no less at fortune's mercy than our wealth. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The caprice of our temper is even more whimsical than that of Fortune. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It requires greater virtues to support good fortune than bad. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Our temper sets a price upon every gift that we receive from fortune. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Our probity is not less at the mercy of fortune than our property. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Fortune mends more faults in us than ever reason would be able to do. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The contempt of riches in the philosophers was a concealed desire of revenging on fortune the injustice done to their merit, by… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Good and bad fortune are found severally to visit those who have the most of the one or the other. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Moderation in people who are contented comes from that calm that good fortune lends to their spirit. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
High fortune makes both our virtues and vices stand out as objects that are brought clearly to view by the light. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The moderation of people in prosperity is the effect of a smooth and composed temper, owing to the calm of their good… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It is a common fault never to be satisfied with our fortune, nor dissatisfied with our understanding. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The good or the bad fortune of men depends not less upon their own dispositions than upon fortune. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Happy people rarely correct their faults; they consider themselves vindicated, since fortune endorses their evil ways. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
When the philosophers despised riches, it was because they had a mind to vindicate their own merit, and take revenge upon the… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
There is something to be said for jealousy, because it only designs the preservation of some good which we either have or… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
When fortune surprises us by giving us some great office without having gradually led us to expect it, or without having raised… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
There is a kind of elevation which does not depend on fortune; it is a certain air which distinguishes us, and seems… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The contempt of riches in philosophers was only a hidden desire to avenge their merit upon the injustice of fortune, by despising… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The happiness and unhappiness of men depends as much on their ethics as on fortune. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The happiness and misery of men depend no less on temper than fortune. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Fortune never seems so blind to any as to those on whom she bestows no favors. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Fortune converts everything to the advantage of her favorites. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Fortune makes our virtues and vices visible, just as light does the objects of sight. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Our wisdom lies as much at the mercy of fortune as our possessions do. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It takes more strength of character to withstand good fortune than bad. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The most brilliant fortunes are often not worth the littleness required to gain them. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Fortune turns all things to the advantage of those on whom she smiles. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Fortune cures us of many faults that reason could not. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Fortune never appears so blind as to those to whom she does no good. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
No one thinks fortune so blind as those she has been least kind to. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The moderation of fortunate people comes from the calm which good fortune gives to their tempers. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Though nature be ever so generous, yet can she not make a hero alone. Fortune must contribute her part too; and till… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
People that are conceited of their own merit take pride in being unfortunate, that themselves and others may think them considerable enough… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
What we take for virtue is often nothing but an assemblage of different actions, and of different interests, that fortune or our… — Francois 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
