“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
Behind many acts that are thought ridiculous there lie wise and weighty motives. — 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
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
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
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
To praise great actions with sincerity may be said to be taking part in them. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Our aversion to lying is commonly a secret ambition to make what we say considerable, and have every word received with a… — 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
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 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
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
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
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
Truth does not do as much good in the world as its imitations do harm. — 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
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
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
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
Truth does less good in the world than its appearances do harm. — 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
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
Our own distrust gives a fair pretence for the knavery of other people. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
Behind many acts that are thought ridiculous there lie wise and weighty motives. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
“Passion often makes a madman of the cleverest man, and renders the greatest fools clever.” — François de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
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
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
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
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
It is sometimes necessary to play the fool to avoid being deceived by cunning men. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
The intention of never deceiving often exposes us to deception. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
Jealousy springs more from love of self than from love of another. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
Jealousy is always born with love, but does not die with it. In jealousy there is more of self-love than of love to another. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
The greatest of all gifts is the power to estimate things at their true worth — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
We have not strength enough to follow our reason so far as it would carry us. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share
