--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is a form of eminence which does…" description: "\"There is a form of eminence which does not depend on fate; it is an air which sets us apart and seems to prtend great things; it is the value which we ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/604/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_ability_there-is-a-form-of-eminence-which-does-n_302694.png" --- # There is a form of eminence which does not depend on fate… ![“There is a form of eminence which does not depend on fate; it is an air which sets us apart and seems to prtend great things; it is the value which we unconsciously attach to ourselves; it is the quality which wins us deference of others; more than birth, position, or ability, it gives us…” quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/604/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_ability_there-is-a-form-of-eminence-which-does-n_302694.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/604/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_ability_there-is-a-form-of-eminence-which-does-n_302694.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/604/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_ability_there-is-a-form-of-eminence-which-does-n_302694.png) > “There is a form of eminence which does not depend on fate; it is an air which sets us apart and seems to prtend great things; it is the value which we unconsciously attach to ourselves; it is the quality which wins us deference of others; more than birth, position, or ability, it gives us ascendance.” [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. True eminence arises from inner confidence and self‑respect, not external status, leading others to regard us with deference. **In simple terms:** Inner confidence earns respect beyond birth or rank. Key Takeaway Cultivate self‑worth to gain influence. Themes confidence self‑respect influence Mood proud reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - leadership - personal development - public speaking - networking Key Concepts self‑esteem social perception psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you demonstrate inner confidence? - What actions reinforce your self‑worth? A Different Perspective May overlook actual competence, causing arrogance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Birth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birth/) [Deference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deference/) [Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/) [Fate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fate/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Great things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-things/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Success in life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success-in-life/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [Eminence without merit earns deference without esteem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-chamfort/eminence-without-merit-earns-deference-without-esteem/) [Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/) > [I'm not the first to have raised these democratic concerns. Many have faulted the court for its lack of clarity in certain cases and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-dewine/i-m-not-the-first-to-have-raised-these-democratic-concerns-many-have/) [Mike DeWine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-dewine/) > [There's great power in deference. You ask somebody 'what' or 'how' questions. People love to be asked how to do something. They feel powerful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/there-s-great-power-in-deference-you-ask-somebody-what-or-how/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [The president's need for complete candor and objectivity from advisers calls for great deference from the courts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/the-president-s-need-for-complete-candor-and-objectivity-from/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) > [I was always creatively stubborn, adverse to editing by others, and wanted to use the kind of Ukrainian we spoke among ourselves rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuriy-tarnawsky/i-was-always-creatively-stubborn-adverse-to-editing-by-others-and/) [Yuriy Tarnawsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuriy-tarnawsky/) > [“It appeared that the deference which, on my grandmother’s authority, we owed to Mme. de Villeparisis imposed on her the reciprocal obligation to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/it-appeared-that-the-deference-which-on-my-grandmother-s-authority-we/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [Caprice, independence and rebellion, which are opposed to the social order, are essential to the good health of an ethnic group. We shall measure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-dubuffet/caprice-independence-and-rebellion-which-are-opposed-to-the-social/) [Jean Dubuffet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-dubuffet/) > [Deference often shrinks and withers as much upon the approach of intimacy as the sensitive plant does upon the touch of one's finger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shenstone/deference-often-shrinks-and-withers-as-much-upon-the-approach-of/) [William Shenstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shenstone/) > [The most congenial social occasions are those ruled by cheerful deference of each for all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-most-congenial-social-occasions-are-those-ruled-by-cheerful/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [The affairs of the world are no more than so much trickery, and a man who toils for money or honour or whatever else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-affairs-of-the-world-are-no-more-than-so-much-trickery-and-a-man/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“He has that quiet deference, that look of pleased, attentive interest, in listening to a woman, which, say what we may, we can none…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilkie-collins/he-has-that-quiet-deference-that-look-of-pleased-attentive-interest/) [Wilkie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilkie-collins/) > [There are very many characteristics which go into making a model civil servant. Prominent among them are probity, industry, good sense, good habits, good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-a-arthur/there-are-very-many-characteristics-which-go-into-making-a-model/) [Chester A. Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-a-arthur/) > [The bonds between ourselves and another person exists only in our minds. Memory as it grows fainter loosens them, and notwithstanding the illusion by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/the-bonds-between-ourselves-and-another-person-exists-only-in-our/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [It was before Vatican II and the liberalization of church doctrine. You weren't meant to eat meat on Friday in deference to Christ, who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-durang/it-was-before-vatican-ii-and-the-liberalization-of-church-doctrine/) [Christopher Durang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-durang/) > [It is important that Miers not be confirmed unless, in her 61st year, she suddenly and unexpectedly is found to have hitherto undisclosed interests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-will/it-is-important-that-miers-not-be-confirmed-unless-in-her-61st-year/) [George Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-will/) ## 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 Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. 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