The surest way to be deceived is to consider oneself cleverer than others. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The sure way to be cheated is to think one's self more cunning than others. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We sometimes imagine we hate flattery, but we only hate the way we are flattered. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Sometimes we think we dislike flattery, but it is only the way it is done that we dislike. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The most effectual way to be deceived is to believe oneself more cunning than one's neighbors. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We are much harder on people who betray us in small ways than on people who betray others in great ones. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Most people know no other way of judging men's worth but by the vogue they are in, or the fortunes they have… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Happy people rarely correct their faults; they consider themselves vindicated, since fortune endorses their evil ways. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Instead of considering that the worst way to persuade or please others is to try thus strongly to please ourselves, and that… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Hope is the last thing that dies in man; and though it be exceedingly deceitful, yet it is of this good use… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Praise is a more ingenious, concealed, and subtle kind of flattery, that satisfies both the giver and the receiver, though by verydifferent… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Humility is often merely feigned submissiveness assumed in order to subject others, an artifice of pride which stoops to conquer, and although… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We are not fond of praising, and never praise any one except from interested motives. Praise is a clever, concealed, and delicate… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The contempt of riches in philosophers was only a hidden desire to avenge their merit upon the injustice of fortune, by despising… — 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
The best way to rise in society is to use all possible means of persuading people that one has already risen in… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Fortunate persons hardly ever amend their ways: they always imagine that they are in the right when fortune upholds their bad conduct. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
We often make use of envenomed praise, that reveals on the rebound, as it were, defects in those praised which we dare… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Magnanimity is sufficiently defined by its name, nevertheless one can say it is the good sense of pride, the most noble way… — 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
