---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The desire to be pitied or to be admired…"
description: "\"“The desire to be pitied or to be admired often forms the greater part of our confidence.”\" — François de La Rochefoucauld"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c49/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_confidence_the-desire-to-be-pitied-or-to-be-admired_2261493.png"
---

#  The desire to be pitied or to be admired often forms the…

![“The desire to be pitied or to be admired often forms the greater part of our confidence.” quote by François de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c49/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_confidence_the-desire-to-be-pitied-or-to-be-admired_2261493.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c49/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_confidence_the-desire-to-be-pitied-or-to-be-admired_2261493.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c49/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_confidence_the-desire-to-be-pitied-or-to-be-admired_2261493.png)

> ““The desire to be pitied or to be admired often forms the greater part of our confidence.””

[François 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.

People often seek pity or admiration, which can become the main source of their confidence.

**In simple terms:** Seeking others’ approval fuels self‑esteem.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate internal validation.

Themes

pride insecurity social perception confidence human nature

Mood

cautious analytical

Type

philosophical psychological

When to use this quote

- Public speaking
- social media
- leadership
- personal relationships

Key Concepts

Ego social validation psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- Do you rely on others’ opinions for confidence?
- How can you build self‑worth from within?

A Different Perspective

External validation is fragile and can be manipulated.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/)

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## More by François 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/)

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> [“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/)

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[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/)

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Senoraroy

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