Humility is often a false front we employ to gain power over others. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
On why I don't trust democracy without extremely powerful systems of accountability and recall What seems to be generosity is often only… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Our merit gains us the esteem of the virtuous-our star that of the public. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We should gain more by letting the world see what we are than by trying to seem what we are not. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Friendship is only a reciprocal conciliation of interests, and an exchange of good offices; it is a species of commerce out of… — 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 most brilliant fortunes are often not worth the littleness required to gain 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
