Humility is often only the putting on of a submissiveness by which men hope to bring other people to submit to them;… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
A clever man should handle his interests so that each will fall in suitable order of their value. — 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
Self-love is more cunning than the most cunning man in the world. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Few things are needful to make the wise man happy, but nothing satisfies the fool; - and this is the reason why… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
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
To be a great man it is necessary to know how to profit by the whole of our good fortune. — 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
A man is ridiculous less through the characteristics he has than through those he affects to have. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Moderation is caused by the fear of exciting the envy and contempt which those merit who are intoxicated with their good fortune;… — 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
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
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
Passion often makes a fool of the cleverest man and often makes the most foolish men clever — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Kings do with men as with pieces of money; they give them what value they please, and we are obliged to receive… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
A man often imagines that he acts, when he is acted upon. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
He is a truly virtuous man who wishes always to be open to the observation of honest men. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It is easier to know men in general, than men in particular. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Men would not live in society long if they were not each others dupes. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It is easier for a man to be thought fit for an employment that he has not, than for one he stands… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. The glory of great men… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Men sometimes think they hate flattery, but they hate only the manner of flattering. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
If a man doesn't find ease in himself, 'tis in vain to seek it elsewhere. — 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
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
