There is such a thing as a general revolution which changes the taste of men as it changes the fortunes of the… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The gratitude of most men is but a secret desire of receiving greater benefits. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The greater part of mankind judge of men only by their fashionableness or their fortune. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
There are but very few men clever enough to know all the mischief they do. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The moderation of men in the most exalted fortunes is a desire to be thought above those things that have raised them… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The man who leaves a woman best pleased with herself is the one whom she will soonest wish to see. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
More men are guilty of treason through weakness than any studied design to betray. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
A man is ridiculous less through the characteristics he has than through those he affects to have. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Some men are so full of themselves that when they fall in love, they amuse themselves rather with their own passion than… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The passions are the only orators that always persuade: they are, as it were, a natural art, the rules of which are… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Men are not only prone to forget benefits; they even hate those who have obliged them, and cease to hate those who… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Though men are apt to flatter and exalt themselves with their great achievements, yet these are, in truth, very often owing not… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
That which occasions so many mistakes in the computations of men, when they expect return for favors, is that the giver's pride… — 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
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
Humility is often only a feigned submissiveness by which men hope to bring other people to submit to them; it is a… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Passion makes idiots of the cleverest men, and makes the biggest idiots clever. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It is easier to understand mankind in general than any individual man. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
There are two things which Man cannot look at directly without flinching: the sun and death. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
A great many men's gratitude is nothing but a secret desire to hook in more valuable kindnesses hereafter. — 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
Ability wins us the esteem of the true men; luck, that of the people. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
A man's happiness or unhappiness depends as much on his temperament as on his destiny. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Most men expose themselves in battle enough to save their honor, few wish to do so more than sufficiently, or than is… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Self-love is the love of a man's own self, and of everything else for his own sake. It makes people idolaters to… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
A man convinced of his own merit will accept misfortune as an honor, for thus can he persuade others, as well as… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
A man often believes himself leader when he is led; as his mind endeavors to reach one goal, his heart insensibly drags… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
What men call friendship is no more than a partnership, a mutual care of interests, an exchange of favors - in a… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
A man for whom accident discovers sense, is not a rational being. A man only is so who understands, who distinguishes, who… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The courage of a great many men, and the virtue of a great many women, are the effect of vanity, shame, and… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Happiness does not consist in things themselves but in the relish we have of them; and a man has attained it when… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Moderation is represented as a virtue in order to restrain the ambition of great men, and to console those of a meaner… — 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
There are no events so disastrous that adroit men do not draw some advantage from them, nor any so fortunate that the… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The blindness of men is the most dangerous effect of their pride; it seems to nourish and augment it; it deprives them… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
A man often thinks he rules himself, when all the while he is ruled and managed; and while his understanding directs one… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Love of glory, fear of shame, greed for fortune, the desire to make life agreeable and comfortable, and the wish to depreciate… — 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