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
In friendship as well as love, ignorance very often contributes more to our happiness than knowledge. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It is necessary, in order to know things well, to know the particulars of them; and these, being infinite, make our knowledge… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Idleness and constancy fix the mind to what it finds easy and agreeable. This habit always confines and cramps up our knowledge;… — 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 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
