Man only blames himself in order that he may be praised. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
That man, we may be sure, is a person of true worth, whom those who envy him most are yet forced to… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
However much we may distrust men's sincerity, we always believe they speak to us more sincerely than to others. — 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
Truth is the foundation and the reason of the perfection of beauty, for of whatever stature a thing may be, it cannot… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The health of the soul is something we can be no more sure of than that of the body; and though a… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
A gentleman may love like a lunatic, but not like a beast. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
There are various sorts of curiosity; one is from interest, which makes us desire to know that which may be useful to… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Gratitude is like the good faith of traders: it maintains commerce, and we often pay, not because it is just to discharge… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Men may boast of their great actions; but they are more often the effects of chance than of design. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Those who have the most cunning affect all their lives to condemn cunning; that they may make use of it on some… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
One man may be more cunning than another, but no one can be more cunning than all the world. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
No accidents are so unlucky [bad] but that the wise may draw some advantage [good] from them... — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Some allow themselves to be overcome by panic, and others charge because they dare not remain at their posts. Some may be… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
There may be talent without position, but there is no position without some kind of talent. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
However wicked men may be, they do not dare openly to appear the enemies of virtue, and when they desire to persecute… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Praise is a more ingenious, concealed, and subtle kind of flattery, that satisfies both the giver and the receiver, though by verydifferent… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Whatever discoveries we may have made in the regions of self-love, there still remain many unknown lands. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Those who are condemned to death affect sometimes a constancy and contempt for death which is only the fear of facing it;… — 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
Only strong natures can really be sweet ones; those that seem sweet are in general only weak, and may easily turn sour. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
In all professions each affects a look and an exterior to appear what he wishes the world to believe that he is.… — 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