Were we perfectly acquainted with the object, we should never passionately desire it. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
If we had no faults of our own, we should not take so much pleasure in noticing those in others. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Gratitude is like credit; it is the backbone of our relations; frequently we pay our debts not because equity demands that we… — 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 shame that arises from praise which we do not deserve often makes us do things we should otherwise never have attempted. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We should often blush at our noblest deeds if the world were to see all their underlying motives. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
A certain harmony should be kept between actions and ideas if we want to fully develop the effects they can produce. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The measure of great men should always be measured by the means they have used to acquire it. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We should scarcely desire things ardently if we were perfectly acquainted with what we desire. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We label judges with having the meanest motives, and yet we desire that our reputation and fame should depend upon the judgment… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We should gain more by letting the world see what we are than by trying to seem what we are not. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
To achieve greatness one should live as if they will never die. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We acknowledge that we should not talk of our wives; but we seem not to know that we should talk still less… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We should often blush for our very best actions, if the world did but see all the motives upon which they were… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Satire is at once the most agreeable and most dangerous of mental qualities. It always pleases when it is refined, but we… — 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
If we never flattered ourselves we should have but scant pleasure. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The only thing that should surprise us is that there are still some things that can surprise us. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It is not enough that we should succeed, but our friends must fail as well. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It is not enough to have great qualities; We should also have the management of them. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We often pay our debts not because it is only fair that we should, but to make future loans easier. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Everyone agrees that a secret should be kept intact, but everyone does not agree as to the nature and importance of secrecy.… — 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
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
