---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The most clever and polite are content…"
description: "\"The most clever and polite are content with only seeming attentive while we perceive in their mind and eyes that at the very time they are wandering fr..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/698/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_attentive_the-most-clever-and-polite-are-content-w_1958966.png"
---

#  The most clever and polite are content with only seeming…

![“The most clever and polite are content with only seeming attentive while we perceive in their mind and eyes that at the very time they are wandering from what is said and desire to return to what they want to say.” quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/698/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_attentive_the-most-clever-and-polite-are-content-w_1958966.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/698/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_attentive_the-most-clever-and-polite-are-content-w_1958966.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/698/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_attentive_the-most-clever-and-polite-are-content-w_1958966.png)

> “The most clever and polite are content with only seeming attentive while we perceive in their mind and eyes that at the very time they are wandering from what is said and desire to return to what they want to say.”

[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.

Polite people may appear attentive but internally they are distracted, planning to shift conversation to their own agenda.

**In simple terms:** Politeness can mask hidden motives.

Key Takeaway

Watch for genuine engagement.

Themes

communication politics social behavior authenticity mindfulness

Mood

skeptical observant

Type

philosophical analytical

When to use this quote

- networking events
- team meetings
- negotiations
- public speaking

Key Concepts

deception self‑interest social dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you discern true attention?
- What strategies foster authentic dialogue?

A Different Perspective

Such behavior erodes trust and authentic connection.

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> [Modern times are dominated by Satan and will be more so in the future. The conflict with hell cannot be engaged by men, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilian-kolbe/modern-times-are-dominated-by-satan-and-will-be-more-so-in-the-future/)

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> [I would never believe it of you, my boy, regardless of the schemers your mother and sister turned out to be. You may not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-klassen/i-would-never-believe-it-of-you-my-boy-regardless-of-the-schemers/)

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> [You drive me insane June. You're the scariest, most clever, bravest person I know, and sometimes I can't catch my breath because I'm trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-lu/you-drive-me-insane-june-you-re-the-scariest-most-clever-bravest/)

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> [I have a fantastic husband. Here's the honeymoon part: I still think he's the funniest, wittiest, most clever man I've ever known.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-jessica-parker/i-have-a-fantastic-husband-here-s-the-honeymoon-part-i-still-think-he/)

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> [The individual (no matter how well-meaning he might be, no matter how much strength he might have, if only he would use it) does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/the-individual-no-matter-how-well-meaning-he-might-be-no-matter-how/)

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> [So if you aspire to be a good conversationali st, be an attentive listener. To be interesting, be interested. Ask questions that other persons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/so-if-you-aspire-to-be-a-good-conversationali-st-be-an-attentive/)

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[Matt Redman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-redman/)

> [Not knowing how to feed the spirit, we try to muffle its demands in distraction...What matters is that one be for a time inwardly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/not-knowing-how-to-feed-the-spirit-we-try-to-muffle-its-demands-in/)

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## 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/)

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[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/)

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> [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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> [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/)

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

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

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> [Attentive listening to others is important regardless of their stations and positions. Wise people consider the deep meaning and true values of all suggestions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chungliang-al-huang/attentive-listening-to-others-is-important-regardless-of-their/)

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> [“Always be attentive of your ego.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anupama-garg/always-be-attentive-of-your-ego/)

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Browse all 89 Attentive quotes

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