Athens Quote by Francois Alexandre Frederic, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt
“The disabusing a man strongly possessed with an opinion of his own worth is the very same ill office that was done to the fool at Athens, who fancied all the ships that came into the harbor were his own.”
About This Quote
Source Maxim: “The Disabusing of a Man”, 1665
He warns that correcting a proud man’s self‑worth is as foolish as deceiving a gullible fool.
In simple terms: Correcting pride can be as foolish as deceiving a fool.
Key Takeaway
Approach ego with humility.
Themes
pride
humility
social dynamics
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- leadership
- teaching
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
ego
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you gently correct pride?
- When is humility most effective?
A Different Perspective
Ego can resist correction.
