Virtue Vice Quotes by Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Our own distrust gives a fair pretence for the knavery of other people.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Behind many acts that are thought ridiculous there lie wise and weighty motives.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Passion often makes a madman of the cleverest man, and renders the greatest fools clever.”

— François de La Rochefoucauld

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

A woman is faithful to her first lover for a long time - unless she happens to take a second.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

We are almost always wearied in the company of persons with whom we are not permitted to be weary.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

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

It is sometimes necessary to play the fool to avoid being deceived by cunning men.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

The intention of never deceiving often exposes us to deception.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Jealousy springs more from love of self than from love of another.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Our distrust of another justifies his deceit.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

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

The greatest of all gifts is the power to estimate things at their true worth

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

We have not strength enough to follow our reason so far as it would carry us.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld