Clever Quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld
“The desire to seem clever often keeps us from being so.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Maximes by La Rochefoucauld, 1665
Attempting to appear clever often distracts from authentic simplicity.
In simple terms: Cleverness can mask authenticity.
Key Takeaway
Value simplicity over forced cleverness.
Themes
authenticity
humility
self-awareness
intelligence
communication
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- personal interactions
- writing
- public speaking
- social media
Key Concepts
ego
self-presentation
social perception
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you prioritized appearance over honesty?
- How does simplicity enhance credibility?
A Different Perspective
Cleverness may hinder genuine connection.
![“[You write out of the] desire to seem clever, to be talked about, to be remembered after death, etc., etc., etc. It is humbug to pretend this is not a motive and a strong one.” quote by George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ec0/george-orwell-57_after-death_you-write-out-of-the-desire-to-seem-clev_278654.jpg)
![“There was another reason [she] took her books whenever they went away. They were her home when she was somewhere strange. They were familiar voices, friends that never quarreled with her, clever, powerful friends -- daring and knowledgeable, tried and tested adventurers who had traveled far and…” quote by Cornelia Funke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/639/cornelia-funke-908_adventurer_there-was-another-reason-she-took-her-bo_3074.jpg)
