Francois de La Rochefoucauld

The accent of a man's native country remains in his mind and his heart, as it does in his speech.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

In the human heart there is a ceaseless birth of passions, so that the destruction of one is almost always the establishment…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

It is with certain good qualities as with the senses; those who have them not can neither appreciate nor comprehend them in…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

The passions possess a certain injustice and self interest which makes it dangerous to follow them, and in reality we should distrust…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

The reason why most women have so little sense of friendship is that this is but a cold and flat passion to…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

We should wish for few things with eagerness, if we perfectly knew the nature of that which was the object of our…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

If we had no faults, we would not derive so much pleasure from noting those of other people.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

The most sure method of subjecting yourself to be deceived is to consider yourself more cunning than others.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Sometimes there are accidents in our lives the skillful extrication from which demands a little folly.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

He who imagines he can do without the world deceives himself much; but he who fancies the world cannot do without him…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Moderation in people who are contented comes from that calm that good fortune lends to their spirit.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Good and bad fortune are found severally to visit those who have the most of the one or the other.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

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

What makes the pain we feel from shame and jealousy so cutting is that vanity can give us no assistance in bearing…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

It is not in the power of even the most crafty dissimulation to conceal love long, where it really is, nor to…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

We are eager to believe that others are flawed because we are eager to believe in what we wish for.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

There are no circumstances, however unfortunate, that clever people do not extract some advantage from.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

A man, in order to establish himself in the world, does everything he can to appear established there.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

The contempt of riches in the philosophers was a concealed desire of revenging on fortune the injustice done to their merit, by…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

It is as commendable to think well of oneself when alone, as it is ridiculous to speak well of oneself among others.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

A fool has not material enough to be good. [Fr., Un sot n'a pas assez d'etoffe pour etre bon.]

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

The intellect of the generality of women serves more to fortify their folly than their reason.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

The boldest stroke and best act of friendship is not to disclose our own failings to a friend, but to show him…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

The ambitious deceive themselves in proposing an end to their ambition; that end, when attained, becomes a means.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Men's happiness and misery depends altogether as much upon their own humor as it does upon fortune.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

To listen closely and reply well is the highest perfection we are able to attain in the art of conversation.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Reconciliation with our enemies is simply a desire to better our condition, a weariness of war, or the fear of some unlucky…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

However glorious an action in itself, it ought not to pass for great if it be not the effect of wisdom and…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Nothing is so capable of diminishing self-love as the observation that we disapprove at one time what we approve at another.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Hope, deceiving as it is, serves at least to lead us to the end of our lives by an agreeable route.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Penetration has an air of divination; it pleases our vanity more than any other quality of the mind.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

There is real love just as there are real ghosts; every person speaks of it, few persons have seen it.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Absence cools moderate passions, and inflames violent ones; just as the wind blows out candles, but kindles fires.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Perfect valour consists in doing without witnesses that which we would be capable of doing before everyone.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

High fortune makes both our virtues and vices stand out as objects that are brought clearly to view by the light.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Smallness of mind is the cause of stubbornness, and we do not credit readily what is beyond our view.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Raillery is more insupportable than wrong; because we have a right to resent injuries, but are ridiculous in being angry at a…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Not all who discharge their debts of gratitude should flatter themselves that they are grateful.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Bravery in simple soldiers is a dangerous trade, to which they have bound themselves to get their livelihood.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld