However great the advantages given us by nature, it is not she alone, but fortune with her, which makes heroes. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Our actions seem to have their lucky and unlucky stars, to which a great part of that blame and that commendation is… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
What men have called friendship is only a social arrangement, a mutual adjustment of interests, an interchange of services given and received;… — 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
Our minds are as much given to laziness as our bodies. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
What is called generosity is usually only the vanity of giving; we enjoy the vanity more than the thing given. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It is given to few persons to keep this secret well. Those who lay down rules too often break them, and the… — 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
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
