We should desire very few things passionately if we did but perfectly know the nature of the things we desire. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
When we enlarge upon the affection our friends have for us, this is very often not so much out of a sense… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Happiness does not consist in things themselves but in the relish we have of them; and a man has attained it when… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It is difficult to define love; all we can say is, that in the soul it is a desire to rule, in… — 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
Politeness is a desire to be treated politely, and to be esteemed polite oneself. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Virtue is the habit of acting according to wisdom. GOTTFRIED WILHELM LEIBNIZ, "Felicity", Leibniz: Political Writings Virtue is harder to be got… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The desire to be thought clever often prevents a man from becoming so. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
When we exaggerate our friends' tenderness towards us, it is often less from gratitude than from a desire to exhibit our own… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
There are few things we should keenly desire if we really knew what we wanted. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Before we passionately desire a thing, we should examine the happiness of its possessor. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Love of fame, fear of disgrace, schemes for advancement, desire to make life comfortable and pleasant, and the urge to humiliate others… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We should wish for few things with eagerness, if we perfectly knew the nature of that which was the object of our… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The desire of talking of ourselves, and showing those faults we do not mind having seen, makes up a good part of… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The moderation of men in the most exalted fortunes is a desire to be thought above those things that have raised them… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Were we perfectly acquainted with the object, we should never passionately desire it. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The greatest part of intimate confidences proceed from a desire either to be pitied or admired. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The most clever and polite are content with only seeming attentive while we perceive in their mind and eyes that at the… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
In the human heart new passions are forever being born; the overthrow of one almost always means the rise of another. — 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
A great many men's gratitude is nothing but a secret desire to hook in more valuable kindnesses hereafter. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
There are various sorts of curiosity; one is from interest, which makes us desire to know that which may be useful to… — 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
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
