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Clever Quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Passion often renders the most clever man a fool, and sometimes renders the most foolish man clever.” quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld
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“Passion often renders the most clever man a fool, and sometimes renders the most foolish man clever.”

Francois de La Rochefoucauld

About This Quote

Source Book: Maximes by François de La Rochefoucauld, 1665

Passion can cloud judgment, making the intelligent appear foolish and the naive appear wise.

In simple terms: Strong emotions distort perception of wisdom.

Key Takeaway

Beware letting emotions dictate decisions.

Themes

wisdom emotion perception pride humility

Mood

reflective cautious

Type

aphilosophical observational

When to use this quote

  • leadership decisions
  • personal relationships
  • conflict resolution
  • career choices

Key Concepts

cognitive bias self-awareness social perception

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you separate passion from reason?
  • When has emotion helped you see clearly?
A Different Perspective

Emotions can also inspire creativity and courage, not just folly.

3.3 out of 5 (10 ratings)

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