Love has its name borrowed by a great number of dealings and affairs that are attributed to it--in which it has no… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We acknowledge our faults in order to repair by our sincerity the damage they have done us in the eyes of others. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We sometimes think that we hate flattery, but we only hate the manner in which it is done. [Fr., On croit quelquefoir… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
To awaken a man who is deceived as to his own merit is to do him as bad a turn as that… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The most ingenious men continually pretend to condemn tricking--but this is often done that they may use it more conveniently themselves, when… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The violence done us by others is often less painful than that which we do to ourselves. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Repentance is not so much remorse for what we have done as the fear of the consequences. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Nothing is so contagious as example; never was there any considerable good or ill done that does not produce its like. We… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Sometimes we think we dislike flattery, but it is only the way it is done that we dislike. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
That which occasions so many mistakes in the computations of men, when they expect return for favors, is that the giver's pride… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We should often blush for our very best actions, if the world did but see all the motives upon which they were… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Truth has scarce done so much good in the world as the false appearances of it have done hurt. — 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
We judge so superficially of things, that common words and actions spoke and done in an agreeable manner, with some knowledge of… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Our repentances are generally not so much a concern and remorse for the harm we have done, as a fear of the… — 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