Treachery is more often the effect of weakness than of a formed design. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
More men are guilty of treason through weakness than any studied design to betray. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Men may boast of their great actions; but they are more often the effects of chance than of design. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Though men are apt to flatter and exalt themselves with their great achievements, yet these are, in truth, very often owing not… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Great and glorious events which dazzle the beholder are represented by politicians as the outcome of grand designs whereas they are usually… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
A man often thinks he rules himself, when all the while he is ruled and managed; and while his understanding directs one… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Most men expose themselves in battle enough to save their honor, few wish to do so more than sufficiently, or than is… — 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
Those great and glorious actions that dazzle our eyes with their luster are represented by statesmen as the result of great wisdomand… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It is a mistake to imagine, that the violent passions only, such as ambition and love, can triumph over the rest. Idleness,… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It is a mighty error to suppose that none but violent and strong passions, such as love and ambition, are able to… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Humility is often only the putting on of a submissiveness by which men hope to bring other people to submit to them;… — 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 Image
Behind many acts that are thought ridiculous there lie wise and weighty motives. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
“Passion often makes a madman of the cleverest man, and renders the greatest fools clever.” — François de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
It is sometimes necessary to play the fool to avoid being deceived by cunning men. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The intention of never deceiving often exposes us to deception. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Jealousy springs more from love of self than from love of another. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
