---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Few are sufficiently wise to prefer…"
description: "\"Few are sufficiently wise to prefer censure which is useful to praise which is treacherous.\" — Francois de La Rochefoucauld"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_censure_few-are-sufficiently-wise-to-prefer-cens_1287227.png"
---

#  Few are sufficiently wise to prefer censure which is…

![“Few are sufficiently wise to prefer censure which is useful to praise which is treacherous.” quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_censure_few-are-sufficiently-wise-to-prefer-cens_1287227.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_censure_few-are-sufficiently-wise-to-prefer-cens_1287227.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_censure_few-are-sufficiently-wise-to-prefer-cens_1287227.png)

> “Few are sufficiently wise to prefer censure which is useful to praise which is treacherous.”

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Wise people choose criticism that helps improve over praise that deceives.

**In simple terms:** Prefer useful criticism, avoid deceptive praise.

Key Takeaway

Seek constructive feedback, not flattering lies.

Themes

wisdom criticism honesty

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- performance reviews
- creative collaborations
- leadership coaching

Key Concepts

philosophy human nature

Questions to Reflect On

- What criticism has helped you grow?
- When is praise necessary?

A Different Perspective

Praise can motivate despite flaws.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Censure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/censure/) [Censure Useful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/censure-useful-1978782/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) [Praise Treacherous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise-treacherous-4179922/) [Prefer Censure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prefer-censure-1978784/) [Treacherous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/treacherous/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/)

## Related quotes

> [Few persons have sufficient wisdom to prefer censure, which is useful, to praise which deceives them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-la-rochefoucauld/few-persons-have-sufficient-wisdom-to-prefer-censure-which-is-useful/)

[Francois La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [Censure is often useful, praise is often deceitful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/censure-is-often-useful-praise-is-often-deceitful/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [We are more often treacherous through weakness than through calculation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/we-are-more-often-treacherous-through-weakness-than-through/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [The praise of the envious is far less creditable than their censure; they praise only that which they can surpass, but that which surpasses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/the-praise-of-the-envious-is-far-less-creditable-than-their-censure/)

[Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/)

> [The stage I chose--a subject fair and free-- 'Tis yours--'tis mine--'tis public property. All common exhibitions open lie, For praise or censure, to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-churchill/the-stage-i-chose-a-subject-fair-and-free-tis-yours-tis-mine-tis/)

[Charles Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-churchill/)

> [Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe, Are lost on hearers that our merits know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/praise-from-a-friend-or-censure-from-a-foe-are-lost-on-hearers-that/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [To praise great actions with sincerity may be said to be taking part in them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/to-praise-great-actions-with-sincerity-may-be-said-to-be-taking-part/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [There are reproaches which praise, and praises which defame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/there-are-reproaches-which-praise-and-praises-which-defame/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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 we approve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/nothing-should-lessen-our-satisfaction-with-ourselves-as-much-as-when/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [Usually we praise only to be praised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/usually-we-praise-only-to-be-praised/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [The most dangerous thing you can do is to take any one impulse of your own nature and set it up as the thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-most-dangerous-thing-you-can-do-is-to-take-any-one-impulse-of/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [Unfathomable Sea! whose waves are years, Ocean of Time, whose waters of deep woe Are brackish with the salt of human tears! Thou shoreless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/unfathomable-sea-whose-waves-are-years-ocean-of-time-whose-waters-of/)

[Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/)

> [The beloved may be treacherous, greasy-headed and given to evil habits, or else it can be a man in his late forties who works…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-link/the-beloved-may-be-treacherous-greasy-headed-and-given-to-evil-habits/)

[Kelly Link](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-link/)

> [Treacherous assassins, enemies of the people, and worthy of everyone's ridicule are those who, under the pretext of guiding future generations, teach them an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/treacherous-assassins-enemies-of-the-people-and-worthy-of-everyone-s/)

[Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/)

> [Every great thing starts with an idea, followed by a doubt and finally a resolve to abandon or pursue. Victory is a treacherous journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dane-cook/every-great-thing-starts-with-an-idea-followed-by-a-doubt-and-finally/)

[Dane Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dane-cook/)

## More by Francois de La Rochefoucauld

> [Our own distrust gives a fair pretence for the knavery of other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/our-own-distrust-gives-a-fair-pretence-for-the-knavery-of-other-people/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [Behind many acts that are thought ridiculous there lie wise and weighty motives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/behind-many-acts-that-are-thought-ridiculous-there-lie-wise-and/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [“Passion often makes a madman of the cleverest man, and renders the greatest fools clever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/passion-often-makes-a-madman-of-the-cleverest-man-and-renders-the/)

[François de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [Perseverance is neither praiseworthy nor blameworthy; for it seems to be only the enduring of certain inclinations and opinions which men neither give themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/perseverance-is-neither-praiseworthy-nor-blameworthy-for-it-seems-to/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [A woman is faithful to her first lover for a long time - unless she happens to take a second.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/a-woman-is-faithful-to-her-first-lover-for-a-long-time-unless-she/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [We are almost always wearied in the company of persons with whom we are not permitted to be weary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/we-are-almost-always-wearied-in-the-company-of-persons-with-whom-we/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [The love of new acquaintance comes not so much from being weary of what we had before, or from any satisfaction there is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/the-love-of-new-acquaintance-comes-not-so-much-from-being-weary-of/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [It is sometimes necessary to play the fool to avoid being deceived by cunning men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/it-is-sometimes-necessary-to-play-the-fool-to-avoid-being-deceived-by/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [The intention of never deceiving often exposes us to deception.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/the-intention-of-never-deceiving-often-exposes-us-to-deception/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [Jealousy springs more from love of self than from love of another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/jealousy-springs-more-from-love-of-self-than-from-love-of-another/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [Our distrust of another justifies his deceit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/our-distrust-of-another-justifies-his-deceit/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/no-persons-are-more-frequently-wrong-than-those-who-will-not-admit/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [Jealousy is always born with love, but does not die with it. In jealousy there is more of self-love than of love to another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/jealousy-is-always-born-with-love-but-does-not-die-with-it-in/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [The greatest of all gifts is the power to estimate things at their true worth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/the-greatest-of-all-gifts-is-the-power-to-estimate-things-at-their/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [We have not strength enough to follow our reason so far as it would carry us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/we-have-not-strength-enough-to-follow-our-reason-so-far-as-it-would/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

[Explore all 1,134 Francois de La Rochefoucauld quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

## More Censure quotes

> [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/)

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> [I have often met with happiness after some imprudent step which ought to have brought ruin upon me, and although passing a vote of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giacomo-casanova/i-have-often-met-with-happiness-after-some-imprudent-step-which-ought/)

[Giacomo Casanova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giacomo-casanova/)

> [Let such teach others who themselves excel, And censure freely who have written well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/let-such-teach-others-who-themselves-excel-and-censure-freely-who/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [ “\[M\]an is not permitted without censure to follow his own thoughts in the search of truth, when they lead him ever so little out… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/m-an-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to-follow-his-own-thoughts-in/)

[John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/)

> [If there should chance to be any mathematicians who, ignorant in mathematics yet pretending to skill in that science, should dare, upon the authority…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolaus-copernicus/if-there-should-chance-to-be-any-mathematicians-who-ignorant-in/)

[Nicolaus Copernicus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolaus-copernicus/)

> [The praise of the envious is far less creditable than their censure; they praise only that which they can surpass, but that which surpasses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/the-praise-of-the-envious-is-far-less-creditable-than-their-censure/)

[Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/)

> [Why should we censure Othello when the Criterion Lover says, "Thou shalt have no other Gods before Me"?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/why-should-we-censure-othello-when-the-criterion-lover-says-thou/)

[Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/)

> [Assuming that two-thirds of the Senate will not vote to remove the president, what is the alternative? I think we need to explore that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thad-cochran/assuming-that-two-thirds-of-the-senate-will-not-vote-to-remove-the/)

[Thad Cochran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thad-cochran/)

> [The censure of a dog is something no man can stand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-morley/the-censure-of-a-dog-is-something-no-man-can-stand/)

[Christopher Morley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-morley/)

> [Dat veniam corvis, vexat censura columbas. - Censure acquits the raven, but pursues the dove.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/dat-veniam-corvis-vexat-censura-columbas-censure-acquits-the-raven/)

[Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/)

> [John Doyle just knows how to feed actors, and what comes out of us, good, bad, right, wrong, doesn't matter. There's no fear or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-lupone/john-doyle-just-knows-how-to-feed-actors-and-what-comes-out-of-us/)

[Patti LuPone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-lupone/)

> [The stage I chose--a subject fair and free-- 'Tis yours--'tis mine--'tis public property. All common exhibitions open lie, For praise or censure, to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-churchill/the-stage-i-chose-a-subject-fair-and-free-tis-yours-tis-mine-tis/)

[Charles Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-churchill/)

> [Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe, Are lost on hearers that our merits know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/praise-from-a-friend-or-censure-from-a-foe-are-lost-on-hearers-that/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [We put together a one-sentence petition asking Congress to censure President Clinton and move on to other pressing issues. We sent it to under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-blades/we-put-together-a-one-sentence-petition-asking-congress-to-censure/)

[Joan Blades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-blades/)

> [Censure acquits the raven, but pursues the dove.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/censure-acquits-the-raven-but-pursues-the-dove/)

[Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/)

[Browse all 183 Censure quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/censure/)

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