--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The word virtue is as useful to…" description: "\"The word virtue is as useful to self-interest as the vices.\" — Francois de La Rochefoucauld" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2f/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_character_the-word-virtue-is-as-useful-to-self-int_1143109.png" --- # The word virtue is as useful to self-interest as the vices. ![“The word virtue is as useful to self-interest as the vices.” quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2f/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_character_the-word-virtue-is-as-useful-to-self-int_1143109.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2f/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_character_the-word-virtue-is-as-useful-to-self-int_1143109.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2f/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_character_the-word-virtue-is-as-useful-to-self-int_1143109.png) > “The word virtue is as useful to self-interest as the vices.” [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. Virtue serves personal gain only as well as vice, highlighting self‑interest over moral value. **In simple terms:** Virtue is as self‑serving as vice. Key Takeaway Recognize self‑interest in moral choices. Themes self‑interest morality human nature Mood reflective critical Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal decisions - leadership - ethical dilemmas Key Concepts virtue vice egoism Questions to Reflect On - Do you act virtuously for others or yourself? - How does self‑interest shape your ethics? A Different Perspective Self‑interest can undermine genuine virtue. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Self interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-interest/) [Vices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vices/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [Consult your friend on all things, especially on those which respect yourself. His counsel may then be useful when your own self-love might impair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca/consult-your-friend-on-all-things-especially-on-those-which-respect/) [Seneca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca/) > [“We’ve spent centuries moving them away from that word virtue and especially The Virtues and that’s precisely how we did it —by making it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-wood/we-ve-spent-centuries-moving-them-away-from-that-word-virtue-and/) [Geoffrey Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-wood/) > [I dislike the frequent use of the word virtue, instead of righteousness, in the pulpit; in prayer or preaching before a Christian community, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/i-dislike-the-frequent-use-of-the-word-virtue-instead-of/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [“The word "virtue" was once found in so many ancient quotes, yet now seems lost in our modern lives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-colton/the-word-virtue-was-once-found-in-so-many-ancient-quotes-yet-now/) Robert Colton > [Loyalty is in most people only a ruse used by self-interest to attract confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/loyalty-is-in-most-people-only-a-ruse-used-by-self-interest-to/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [That good disposition which boasts of being most tender is often stifled by the least urging of self-interest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/that-good-disposition-which-boasts-of-being-most-tender-is-often/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [We do not like to praise, and seldom praise anyone without self-interest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/we-do-not-like-to-praise-and-seldom-praise-anyone-without-self/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [Self-interest speaks all manner of tongues and plays all manner of parts, even that of disinterestedness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/self-interest-speaks-all-manner-of-tongues-and-plays-all-manner-of/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [Virtues lose themselves in self-interest, as rivers in the sea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/virtues-lose-themselves-in-self-interest-as-rivers-in-the-sea/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [Whatever pretended causes we may blame our afflictions upon, it is often nothing but self-interest and vanity that produce them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/whatever-pretended-causes-we-may-blame-our-afflictions-upon-it-is/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [Self-interest makes some people blind, and others sharp-sighted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/self-interest-makes-some-people-blind-and-others-sharp-sighted/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [The name and pretense of virtue is as serviceable to self-interest as are real vices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/the-name-and-pretense-of-virtue-is-as-serviceable-to-self-interest-as/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [The passions possess a certain injustice and self interest which makes it dangerous to follow them, and in reality we should distrust them even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/the-passions-possess-a-certain-injustice-and-self-interest-which/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [A free society depends upon a high degree of mutual trust. The public will not give that trust to officials who are not seen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archibald-cox/a-free-society-depends-upon-a-high-degree-of-mutual-trust-the-public/) [Archibald Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archibald-cox/) > [ \[U\]nless oppressed groups stick together, and on alliances of self interest rather than do-goodism; nothing can be accomplished in the long run to dismantle… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shulamith-firestone/u-nless-oppressed-groups-stick-together-and-on-alliances-of-self/) [Shulamith Firestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shulamith-firestone/) ## 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 Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) David Hudgins > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. 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