Behind many acts that are thought ridiculous there lie wise and weighty motives. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Numberless arts appear foolish whose secret motives are most wise and weighty. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
A wise man thinks it more advantageous not to join the battle than to win. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The constancy of the wise is only the talent of concealing the agitation of their hearts. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
In growing old, we become more foolish - and more wise. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
A wise man should order his interests, and set them all in their proper places. This order is often troubled by greed,… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It is the habit of mediocre minds to condemn all that is beyond their grasp. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
That conduct often seems ridiculous the secret reasons of which are wise and solid. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Few are sufficiently wise to prefer censure which is useful to praise which is treacherous. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
He who lives without committing any folly is not so wise as he thinks. [Fr., Qui vit sans folie n'est pas si… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
There is no accident so unfortunate but wise men will make some advantage of it, nor any so entirely fortunate but fools… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Folly pursues us at all periods of our lives. If someone seems wise it is only because his follies are proportionate to… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
He who lives without folly isn't so wise as he thinks. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Were we faultless, we would not derive such satisfaction from remarking the faults of others. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It is not expedient or wise to examine our friends too closely; few persons are raised in our esteem by a close… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Few things are needed to make a wise man happy; nothing can make a fool content; that is why most men are… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It is easier to be wise for others than for ourselves. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
The constancy of the wise is only the art of keeping disquietude to one's self. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
No accidents are so unlucky [bad] but that the wise may draw some advantage [good] from them... — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
Few things are needful to make the wise man happy, but nothing satisfies the fool; - and this is the reason why… — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It's the height of folly to want to be the only wise one. — Francois de La Rochefoucauld Copy Share Image
It is easy to be wise on behalf of others than to be so for 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 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