--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is a mistake to imagine, that the…" description: "\"It is a mistake to imagine, that the violent passions only, such as ambition and love, can triumph over the rest. Idleness, languid as it is, often mas..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67f/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_action_it-is-a-mistake-to-imagine-that-the-viol_2036021.png" --- # It is a mistake to imagine, that the violent passions… ![“It is a mistake to imagine, that the violent passions only, such as ambition and love, can triumph over the rest. Idleness, languid as it is, often masters them all; she influences all our designs and actions, and insensibly consumes and destroys both passions and virtues.” quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67f/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_action_it-is-a-mistake-to-imagine-that-the-viol_2036021.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67f/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_action_it-is-a-mistake-to-imagine-that-the-viol_2036021.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67f/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_action_it-is-a-mistake-to-imagine-that-the-viol_2036021.png) > “It is a mistake to imagine, that the violent passions only, such as ambition and love, can triumph over the rest. Idleness, languid as it is, often masters them all; she influences all our designs and actions, and insensibly consumes and destroys both passions and virtues.” [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. Violent passions like ambition and love are not supreme; idleness can dominate and erode both passions and virtues. **In simple terms:** Idleness can undermine even strong passions and virtues. Key Takeaway Guard against complacency to preserve virtues. Themes virtue passion idleness Mood cautionary reflective Type maxim philosophical When to use this quote - career ambition - romantic relationships - creative projects - daily routines Key Concepts Human nature self‑control temptation Questions to Reflect On - What habits keep idleness at bay? - How can you balance passion with rest? A Different Perspective If strong discipline is present, idleness may be mitigated. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Idleness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idleness/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Triumph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/triumph/) [Violent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violent/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [It is a mighty error to suppose that none but violent and strong passions, such as love and ambition, are able to vanquish the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/it-is-a-mighty-error-to-suppose-that-none-but-violent-and-strong/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [Indolence, languid as it is, often masters both passions and virtues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/indolence-languid-as-it-is-often-masters-both-passions-and-virtues/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [Great souls are not those who have fewer passions and more virtues than others, but only those who have greater designs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/great-souls-are-not-those-who-have-fewer-passions-and-more-virtues/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [The most violent passions sometimes leave us at rest, but vanity agitates us constantly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/the-most-violent-passions-sometimes-leave-us-at-rest-but-vanity/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [“To influence a person is to give him one's own soul. He does not think his natural thoughts, or burn with his natural passions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/to-influence-a-person-is-to-give-him-one-s-own-soul-he-does-not-think/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [You implanted your highest goal into the heart of those passions: then they became your virtues and joys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/you-implanted-your-highest-goal-into-the-heart-of-those-passions-then/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“Because to influence a person is to give him one's own soul. He does not think his natural thoughts, or burn with his natural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/because-to-influence-a-person-is-to-give-him-one-s-own-soul-he-does/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Trade is the natural enemy of all violent passions. Trade loves moderation, delights in compromise, and is most careful to avoid anger. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/trade-is-the-natural-enemy-of-all-violent-passions-trade-loves-2/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Of all the violent passions the one that becomes a woman best is love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/of-all-the-violent-passions-the-one-that-becomes-a-woman-best-is-love/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Trade is the natural enemy of all violent passions because it loves moderation, delights in compromise an is most careful to avoid anger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/trade-is-the-natural-enemy-of-all-violent-passions-because-it-loves/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [In nature the most violent passions are silent; in tragedy they must speak and speak with dignity too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/in-nature-the-most-violent-passions-are-silent-in-tragedy-they-must/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [“He had violent passions, and on occasion desire seized his body so that he was driven to an orgy of lust, but he hated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/he-had-violent-passions-and-on-occasion-desire-seized-his-body-so/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [It is difficult to say which is the greatest evil--to have too violent passions, or to be wholly devoid of them. Controlled with firmness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-nestell-bovee/it-is-difficult-to-say-which-is-the-greatest-evil-to-have-too-violent/) [Christian Nestell Bovee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-nestell-bovee/) > [Violent passions are formed in solitude. In the busy world no object has time to make a deep impression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/violent-passions-are-formed-in-solitude-in-the-busy-world-no-object/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We do not lack strength so much as the will to use it; and very often our imagining that things are impossible is nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/we-do-not-lack-strength-so-much-as-the-will-to-use-it-and-very-often/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) ## 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 Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. 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Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is a mistake to imagine, that the violent passions only, such as ambition and love, can triumph over the rest. 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