Whatever distrust we may have of the sincerity of those who converse with us, we always believe they will tell us more… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
To praise great actions with sincerity may be said to be taking part in them. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It is much better to learn to deal with the ills we have now than to speculate on those that may befall… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We may say of agreeableness, as distinct from beauty, that it is a symmetry whose rules are unknown. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
People that are conceited of their own merit take pride in being unfortunate, that themselves and others may think them considerable enough… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We may say of agreeableness, as distinct from beauty, that it consists in a symmetry of which we know not the rules,… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
A man's wits are better employed in bearing up under the misfortunes that lie upon him at present than in foreseeing those… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
A man may be sharper than another, but not than all others. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
However we may conceal our passions under the veil ... there is always some place where they peep out. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Though most of the friendships of the world ill deserve the name of friendships; yet a man may make use of them… — 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
Whatever pretended causes we may blame our afflictions upon, it is often nothing but self-interest and vanity that produce them. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
There are no accidents so unlucky but the prudent may draw some advantage from them. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Pity is often a reflection of our own evils in the ills of others. It is a delicate foresight of the troubles… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Spiritual health is no more stable than bodily; and though we may seem unaffected by the passions we are just as liable… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It may be said that the vices await us in the journey of life like hosts with whom we must successively lodge;… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
How deceitful hope may be, yet she carries us on pleasantly to the end of life. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
There is no accident so unfortunate but wise men will make some advantage of it, nor any so entirely fortunate but fools… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We may seem great in an employment below our worth, but we very often look little in one that is too big… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Pity is a sense of our own misfortunes in those of another man; it is a sort of foresight of the disasters… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Whatever pretext we may give for our affections, often it is only interest and vanity which cause them. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We often see malefactors, when they are led to execution, put on resolution and a contempt of death which, in truth, is… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We may sooner be brought to love them that hate us, than them that love us more than we would have 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
