Whatever distrust we may have of the sincerity of those who converse with us, we always believe they will tell us more… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
To praise great actions with sincerity may be said to be taking part in them. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The judgments our enemies make about us come nearer to the truth than those we make about ourselves. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We acknowledge our faults in order to repair by our sincerity the damage they have done us in the eyes of others. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Our enemies come nearer the truth in the opinions they form of us than we do in our opinion of ourselves. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
“We should not be upset that others hide the truth from us, when we hide it so often from ourselves.” — François de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Honest people will respect us for our merit: the public, for our luck. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We often see malefactors, when they are led to execution, put on resolution and a contempt of death which, in truth, is… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Our enemies' opinion of us comes closer to the truth than our own. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The desire of talking of ourselves, and showing those faults we do not mind having seen, makes up a good part of… — 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
Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
However greatly we distrust the sincerity of those we converse with, yet still we think they tell more truth to us than… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Truth does less good in the world than its appearances do harm. — 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
Truth has scarce done so much good in the world as the false appearances of it have done hurt. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Some disguised deceits counterfeit truth so perfectly that not to be taken in by them would be an error of judgment. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
There are some disguised falsehoods so like truths, that 'twould be to judge ill not to be deceived by them. — 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
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
