One thing which makes us find so few people who appear reasonable and agreeable in conversation is, that there is scarcely any… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
He that fancies such a sufficiency in himself that he can live without all the world is greatly mistaken; but he that… — 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
Perhaps being old is having lighted rooms inside your head, and people in them, acting. People you know, yet can't quite name. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Sincerity is an openness of heart; we find it in very few people; what we usually see is only an artful dissimulation… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The generality of friends puts us out of conceit with friendship; just as the generality of religious people puts us out of… — 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
Some people are so extremely whiffling and inconsiderable that they are as far from any real faults as from substantial virtues. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
People are often vain of their passions, even of the worst, but envy is a passion so timid and shame-faced that no… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Everyone takes pleasure in returning small obligations, many people acknowledge moderate ones; but there are only a scarce few who do not… — 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
