---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our good qualities expose us more to…"
description: "\"Our good qualities expose us more to hatred and persecution than all the ill we do.\" — Francois de La Rochefoucauld"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_good-quality_our-good-qualities-expose-us-more-to-hat_1919518.png"
---

#  Our good qualities expose us more to hatred and…

![“Our good qualities expose us more to hatred and persecution than all the ill we do.” quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_good-quality_our-good-qualities-expose-us-more-to-hat_1919518.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_good-quality_our-good-qualities-expose-us-more-to-hat_1919518.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_good-quality_our-good-qualities-expose-us-more-to-hat_1919518.png)

> “Our good qualities expose us more to hatred and persecution than all the ill we do.”

[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.

Good deeds expose individuals to envy and persecution more than their wrongdoings do.

**In simple terms:** Being good can attract more hostility than being bad.

Key Takeaway

Practice virtue despite potential backlash.

Themes

virtue persecution human nature

Mood

thoughtful cautious

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

- daily interactions
- public service
- leadership

Key Concepts

moral philosophy social dynamics ethics

Questions to Reflect On

- Why do societies punish the virtuous?
- How can one stay true to values under criticism?

A Different Perspective

Goodness may be socially risky.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness/) [Hatred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hatred/) [Ill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ill/) [Persecution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persecution/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/)

## Related quotes

> [Do not expect, my friend, that the whole world will rejoice if you become Christian. You will probably receive enmity and hatred and persecution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martyn/do-not-expect-my-friend-that-the-whole-world-will-rejoice-if-you/)

[Martyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martyn/)

> [Christians well know that the much-decorated statue of the Church, as it now stands, is not of pure chiseled marble, but of clay, cemented…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virchand-gandhi/christians-well-know-that-the-much-decorated-statue-of-the-church-as/)

[Virchand Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virchand-gandhi/)

> [It is with certain good qualities as with the senses; those who have them not can neither appreciate nor comprehend them in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/it-is-with-certain-good-qualities-as-with-the-senses-those-who-have/)

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

> [In the intercourse of life, we please more by our faults than by our good qualities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/in-the-intercourse-of-life-we-please-more-by-our-faults-than-by-our/)

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

> [The evil that we do does not attract to us so much persecution and hatred as our good qualities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/the-evil-that-we-do-does-not-attract-to-us-so-much-persecution-and/)

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

> [Some good qualities are like the senses: Those who are entirely deprived of them can have no notion of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/some-good-qualities-are-like-the-senses-those-who-are-entirely/)

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

> [It is oftener by the estimation of our own feelings that we exaggerate the good qualities of others than by their merit, and when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/it-is-oftener-by-the-estimation-of-our-own-feelings-that-we/)

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

> [The desire which urges us to deserve praise strengthens our good qualities, and praise given to wit, valour, and beauty, tends to increase them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/the-desire-which-urges-us-to-deserve-praise-strengthens-our-good/)

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

> [One of the greatest and also the commonest of faults is for men to believe that, because they never hear their shortcomings spoken of,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/one-of-the-greatest-and-also-the-commonest-of-faults-is-for-men-to-2/)

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

> [Self-love increases or diminishes for us the good qualities of our friends, in proportion to the satisfaction we feel with them; and we judge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/self-love-increases-or-diminishes-for-us-the-good-qualities-of-our/)

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

> [A stylish throw. A good quality throw can last a lifetime and adds a dash of color and pattern as well as comfort and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-campbell/a-stylish-throw-a-good-quality-throw-can-last-a-lifetime-and-adds-a/)

Nina Campbell

> [Spending your time with true spiritual friends will fill you with love for all beings and help you to see how negative attachment and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dilgo-khyentse-rinpoche/spending-your-time-with-true-spiritual-friends-will-fill-you-with/)

[Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dilgo-khyentse-rinpoche/)

> [I think I've explained earlier on in the year that I kind of underestimated how important experience was in this series, especially when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-wheldon/i-think-i-ve-explained-earlier-on-in-the-year-that-i-kind-of/)

[Dan Wheldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-wheldon/)

> [By measuring the proportion of children living with the same parents from birth and whether their parents report a good quality relationship we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iain-duncan-smith/by-measuring-the-proportion-of-children-living-with-the-same-parents/)

[Iain Duncan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iain-duncan-smith/)

> [My main aim has always been to do good quality films with roles that have some substance. With Power and Beauty there were loads…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-henstridge/my-main-aim-has-always-been-to-do-good-quality-films-with-roles-that/)

[Natasha Henstridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-henstridge/)

## 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 Good quality quotes

> [My main aim has always been to do good quality films with roles that have some substance. With Power and Beauty there were loads…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-henstridge/my-main-aim-has-always-been-to-do-good-quality-films-with-roles-that/)

[Natasha Henstridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-henstridge/)

> [By measuring the proportion of children living with the same parents from birth and whether their parents report a good quality relationship we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iain-duncan-smith/by-measuring-the-proportion-of-children-living-with-the-same-parents/)

[Iain Duncan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iain-duncan-smith/)

> [I think I've explained earlier on in the year that I kind of underestimated how important experience was in this series, especially when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-wheldon/i-think-i-ve-explained-earlier-on-in-the-year-that-i-kind-of/)

[Dan Wheldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-wheldon/)

> [Spending your time with true spiritual friends will fill you with love for all beings and help you to see how negative attachment and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dilgo-khyentse-rinpoche/spending-your-time-with-true-spiritual-friends-will-fill-you-with/)

[Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dilgo-khyentse-rinpoche/)

> [Self-love increases or diminishes for us the good qualities of our friends, in proportion to the satisfaction we feel with them; and we judge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/self-love-increases-or-diminishes-for-us-the-good-qualities-of-our/)

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

> [A stylish throw. A good quality throw can last a lifetime and adds a dash of color and pattern as well as comfort and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-campbell/a-stylish-throw-a-good-quality-throw-can-last-a-lifetime-and-adds-a/)

Nina Campbell

> [All good qualities must be sown and cultivated. We can’t expect to change overnight from an ordinary person into one with high realizations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/all-good-qualities-must-be-sown-and-cultivated-we-can-t-expect-to/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [Obviously, drafts sometimes are good ones, or bad ones; I think you can get a good, quality player late in the lottery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grant-hill/obviously-drafts-sometimes-are-good-ones-or-bad-ones-i-think-you-can/)

[Grant Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grant-hill/)

> [With the realization of ones own potential and self-confidence in ones ability, one can build a better world. According to my own experience, self-confidence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/with-the-realization-of-ones-own-potential-and-self-confidence-in/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [Good customers want good quality service. Great customers want it even more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/good-customers-want-good-quality-service-great-customers-want-it-even/)

[Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/)

> [I toured for about 2 1/2 years on twentythree and then I took about a year off. I really just spent some good quality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-prettyman/i-toured-for-about-2-1-2-years-on-twentythree-and-then-i-took-about-a/)

[Tristan Prettyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-prettyman/)

> [In any job, you have to give up certain things, and I believe that having a good quality of life means enjoying certain things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doutzen-kroes/in-any-job-you-have-to-give-up-certain-things-and-i-believe-that/)

[Doutzen Kroes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doutzen-kroes/)

> [The nature of the mind is such that if certain mental qualities are developed on a sound basis, they not only remain, but they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-nature-of-the-mind-is-such-that-if-certain-mental-qualities-are/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [Egotism is not a good quality. It's not something to be admired or even tolerated. It wouldn't be tolerated in a field commander and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milius/egotism-is-not-a-good-quality-it-s-not-something-to-be-admired-or/)

[John Milius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milius/)

> [Quality is more important than quantity. One home run is much better than two doubles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/quality-is-more-important-than-quantity-one-home-run-is-much-better/)

[Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/)

Browse all 147 Good quality quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Our good qualities expose us more to hatred and persecution than all the ill we do.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Francois de La Rochefoucauld"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/our-good-qualities-expose-us-more-to-hatred-and-persecution-than-all/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Good quality"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/our-good-qualities-expose-us-more-to-hatred-and-persecution-than-all/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_good-quality_our-good-qualities-expose-us-more-to-hat_1919518.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_good-quality_our-good-qualities-expose-us-more-to-hat_1919518.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_good-quality_our-good-qualities-expose-us-more-to-hat_1919518.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Our good qualities expose us more to hatred and persecution than all the ill we do.” — 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": "Our good qualities expose us more...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/our-good-qualities-expose-us-more-to-hatred-and-persecution-than-all/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/our-good-qualities-expose-us-more-to-hatred-and-persecution-than-all/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
