---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: None but the contemptible are…"
description: "\"None but the contemptible are apprehensive of contempt.\" — Francois de La Rochefoucauld"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_apprehensive_none-but-the-contemptible-are-apprehensi_276297.png"
---

#  None but the contemptible are apprehensive of contempt.

![“None but the contemptible are apprehensive of contempt.” quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_apprehensive_none-but-the-contemptible-are-apprehensi_276297.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_apprehensive_none-but-the-contemptible-are-apprehensi_276297.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_apprehensive_none-but-the-contemptible-are-apprehensi_276297.png)

> “None but the contemptible are apprehensive of contempt.”

[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.

States that only those who are contemptible fear being despised, revealing a link between self‑respect and perceived contempt.

**In simple terms:** Low self‑esteem breeds fear of contempt.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate self‑respect.

Themes

human nature pride contempt

Mood

reflective critical

Type

moral philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal development
- leadership
- conflict resolution
- team dynamics

Key Concepts

self‑esteem social perception

Questions to Reflect On

- What does contempt reveal about your values?
- How can you reduce fear of judgment?

A Different Perspective

May oversimplify complex social emotions.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Apprehensive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apprehensive/) [Contempt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contempt/)

## Related quotes

> [The extreme pleasure we take in speaking of ourselves should make us apprehensive that it gives hardly any to those who listen to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/the-extreme-pleasure-we-take-in-speaking-of-ourselves-should-make-us/)

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

> [As men neither fear nor respect what has been made contemptible, all honor to him who makes oppression laughable as well as detestable. Armies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-percy-whipple/as-men-neither-fear-nor-respect-what-has-been-made-contemptible-all/)

[Edwin Percy Whipple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-percy-whipple/)

> [Contemptuous people are sure to be contemptible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-chamfort/contemptuous-people-are-sure-to-be-contemptible/)

[Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/)

> [There is no being so poor and so contemptible, who does not think there is somebody still poorer, and still more contemptible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/there-is-no-being-so-poor-and-so-contemptible-who-does-not-think/)

[Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/)

> [Only the contemptible fear contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/only-the-contemptible-fear-contempt/)

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

> [“The size of any obstacle is measured by the yardstick of our fear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/the-size-of-any-obstacle-is-measured-by-the-yardstick-of-our-fear/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [If you are a good person, you will probably be a good father. Try not to worry too much. If you don't feel apprehensive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-edgerton/if-you-are-a-good-person-you-will-probably-be-a-good-father-try-not/)

[Clyde Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-edgerton/)

> [The apprehensive faculty must be scrutinised in action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/the-apprehensive-faculty-must-be-scrutinised-in-action/)

[James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/)

> [“I am both eager to return and apprehensive of what awaits me at my journey's end.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/i-am-both-eager-to-return-and-apprehensive-of-what-awaits-me-at-my/)

[E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/)

> [“If we’re honest, what makes something impossible is not our fear. Rather, it is our indifference.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/if-we-re-honest-what-makes-something-impossible-is-not-our-fear/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [When I did 'Naanum Rowdy Thaan' with Nayanthara, she was in the peak of her career - I was apprehensive about her willingness to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-sethupathi/when-i-did-naanum-rowdy-thaan-with-nayanthara-she-was-in-the-peak-of/)

[Vijay Sethupathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-sethupathi/)

> [“How?" I murmur. It feels as if I am talking in my sleep, floating down a stream of sleep. "How can I conquer the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippa-gregory/how-i-murmur-it-feels-as-if-i-am-talking-in-my-sleep-floating-down-a/)

[Philippa Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippa-gregory/)

> [“I am apprehensive, therefore - perhaps too apprehensive - that the Government of these States may in futures times end in a monarchy. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-am-apprehensive-therefore-perhaps-too-apprehensive-that-the/)

[Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/)

> [ \[My father\] was more than apprehensive. He didn't think I stood a chance in hell. He had no confidence in me whatsoever and was… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-michael/my-father-was-more-than-apprehensive-he-didn-t-think-i-stood-a-chance/)

[George Michael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-michael/)

> [“You are not apprehensive, are you? I can't detect no trace of fear none whatsoever Roomy cranium all possible videos of all possible outcomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/you-are-not-apprehensive-are-you-i-can-t-detect-no-trace-of-fear-none/)

[Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/)

## 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 Apprehensive quotes

> [“You are not apprehensive, are you? I can't detect no trace of fear none whatsoever Roomy cranium all possible videos of all possible outcomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/you-are-not-apprehensive-are-you-i-can-t-detect-no-trace-of-fear-none/)

[Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/)

> [If you are a good person, you will probably be a good father. Try not to worry too much. If you don't feel apprehensive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-edgerton/if-you-are-a-good-person-you-will-probably-be-a-good-father-try-not/)

[Clyde Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-edgerton/)

> [The apprehensive faculty must be scrutinised in action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/the-apprehensive-faculty-must-be-scrutinised-in-action/)

[James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/)

> [“I am apprehensive, therefore - perhaps too apprehensive - that the Government of these States may in futures times end in a monarchy. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-am-apprehensive-therefore-perhaps-too-apprehensive-that-the/)

[Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/)

> [“The size of any obstacle is measured by the yardstick of our fear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/the-size-of-any-obstacle-is-measured-by-the-yardstick-of-our-fear/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [ \[My father\] was more than apprehensive. He didn't think I stood a chance in hell. He had no confidence in me whatsoever and was… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-michael/my-father-was-more-than-apprehensive-he-didn-t-think-i-stood-a-chance/)

[George Michael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-michael/)

> [“How?" I murmur. It feels as if I am talking in my sleep, floating down a stream of sleep. "How can I conquer the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippa-gregory/how-i-murmur-it-feels-as-if-i-am-talking-in-my-sleep-floating-down-a/)

[Philippa Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippa-gregory/)

> [When I did 'Naanum Rowdy Thaan' with Nayanthara, she was in the peak of her career - I was apprehensive about her willingness to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-sethupathi/when-i-did-naanum-rowdy-thaan-with-nayanthara-she-was-in-the-peak-of/)

[Vijay Sethupathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-sethupathi/)

> [“If we’re honest, what makes something impossible is not our fear. Rather, it is our indifference.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/if-we-re-honest-what-makes-something-impossible-is-not-our-fear/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [“I am both eager to return and apprehensive of what awaits me at my journey's end.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/i-am-both-eager-to-return-and-apprehensive-of-what-awaits-me-at-my/)

[E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/)

> [Every generation looks at literature through the lens of their own experience, but with the Bible, everyone gets apprehensive and thinks it'll be too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kirn/every-generation-looks-at-literature-through-the-lens-of-their-own/)

[Walter Kirn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kirn/)

> [I was very apprehensive, mostly because I didn’t want to get caught. By now, I had begun to feel removed from the everyday world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/i-was-very-apprehensive-mostly-because-i-didn-t-want-to-get-caught-by/)

[Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/)

> [Throughout 'Doris,' and while I was recording it, you could hear I was apprehensive towards everything. I can't explain it. It wasn't fun; it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-sweatshirt/throughout-doris-and-while-i-was-recording-it-you-could-hear-i-was/)

[Earl Sweatshirt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-sweatshirt/)

> [Persons who have been homeless carry within them a certain philosophy of life which makes them apprehensive about ownership.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerzy-kosi-ski/persons-who-have-been-homeless-carry-within-them-a-certain-philosophy/)

[Jerzy Kosinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerzy-kosi-ski/)

> [The extreme pleasure we take in speaking of ourselves should make us apprehensive that it gives hardly any to those who listen to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/the-extreme-pleasure-we-take-in-speaking-of-ourselves-should-make-us/)

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

[Browse all 32 Apprehensive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apprehensive/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "None but the contemptible are apprehensive of contempt.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Francois de La Rochefoucauld"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/none-but-the-contemptible-are-apprehensive-of-contempt/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Apprehensive"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/none-but-the-contemptible-are-apprehensive-of-contempt/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_apprehensive_none-but-the-contemptible-are-apprehensi_276297.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_apprehensive_none-but-the-contemptible-are-apprehensi_276297.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_apprehensive_none-but-the-contemptible-are-apprehensi_276297.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“None but the contemptible are apprehensive of contempt.” — Francois de La Rochefoucauld",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Francois de La Rochefoucauld",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "None but the contemptible are apprehensive...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/none-but-the-contemptible-are-apprehensive-of-contempt/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/none-but-the-contemptible-are-apprehensive-of-contempt/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```