Francois de La Rochefoucauld

A certain harmony should be kept between actions and ideas if we want to fully develop the effects they can produce.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

There are two things which Man cannot look at directly without flinching: the sun and death.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

There is no disguise that can for long conceal love where it exists or simulate it where it does not.

— Francois De La Rochefoucauld

The greatest part of intimate confidences proceed from a desire either to be pitied or admired.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Some people are so extremely whiffling and inconsiderable that they are as far from any real faults as from substantial virtues.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

It is worth nothing to be young without being beautiful, nor to be beautiful without being young.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

The art of putting into play mediocre qualities often begets more reputation than is achieved by true merit.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

There are few occasions when we should make a bad bargain by giving up the good on condition that no ill was…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

We often are consoled by our want of reason for misfortunes that reason could not have comforted.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Moderation is the feebleness and sloth of the soul, whereas ambition is the warmth and activity of it.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Love, all agreeable as it is, charms more by the fashion in which it displays itself, than by its own true merit.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

The old begin to complain of the conduct of the young when they themselves are no longer able to set a bad…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

A man often thinks he rules himself, when all the while he is ruled and managed; and while his understanding directs one…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

No accidents are so unlucky [bad] but that the wise may draw some advantage [good] from them...

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

What is called generosity is usually only the vanity of giving; we enjoy the vanity more than the thing given.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others that in the end we become disguised to ourselves.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

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

Though nature be ever so generous, yet can she not make a hero alone. Fortune must contribute her part too; and till…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Truth has scarce done so much good in the world as the false appearances of it have done hurt.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

A true friend is the greatest of all blessings, and that which we take the least care to acquire.

— Francois De La Rochefoucauld

Nothing should lessen our satisfaction with ourselves as much as when we notice that we disapprove of something at one time that…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

There are no events so disastrous that adroit men do not draw some advantage from them, nor any so fortunate that the…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Absence weakens mediocre passions and increases great ones, as the wind blows out candles and kindles fires.

— François De La Rochefoucauld

When the heart is still disturbed by the relics of a passion it is proner to take up a new one than…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

There are some disguised falsehoods so like truths, that 'twould be to judge ill not to be deceived by them.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

There are people who in spite of their merit disgust us and others who please us in spite of their faults.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Absence abates a moderate passion and intensifies a great one - as the wind blows out a candle but fans fire into…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Though men pride themselves on their great actions, often they are not the results of any great design, but of chance.

— François De La Rochefoucauld

How is it that we remember the least triviality that happens to us, and yet not remember how often we have recounted…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Avarice misapprehends itself almost always. There is no passion which more often will miss its aim, nor upon which the present has…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

People that are conceited of their own merit take pride in being unfortunate, that themselves and others may think them considerable enough…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Spiritual health is no more stable than bodily; and though we may seem unaffected by the passions we are just as liable…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

A man's wits are better employed in bearing up under the misfortunes that lie upon him at present than in foreseeing those…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

When the soul is ruffled by the remains of one passion, it is more disposed to entertain a new one than when…

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

A clever man should handle his interests so that each will fall in suitable order of their value.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Heat of blood makes young people change their inclinations often, and habit makes old ones keep to theirs a great while.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

A clever man reaps some benefit from the worst catastrophe, and a fool can turn even good luck to his disadvantage.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Self-interest speaks all manner of tongues and plays all manner of parts, even that of disinterestedness.

— 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

It is with sincere affection or friendship as with ghosts and apparitions,--a thing that everybody talks of, and scarce any hath seen.

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld