--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We love those who admire us, but not…" description: "\"We love those who admire us, but not those whom we admire.\" — Francois De La Rochefoucauld" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ea/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_admire_we-love-those-who-admire-us-but-not-thos_2114010.png" --- # We love those who admire us, but not those whom we admire. ![“We love those who admire us, but not those whom we admire.” quote by Francois De La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ea/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_admire_we-love-those-who-admire-us-but-not-thos_2114010.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ea/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_admire_we-love-those-who-admire-us-but-not-thos_2114010.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ea/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_admire_we-love-those-who-admire-us-but-not-thos_2114010.png) > “We love those who admire us, but not those whom we admire.” [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. Observes that people enjoy admiration but reject those they admire, highlighting paradox of ego and aspiration. **In simple terms:** People like being admired, not admirers. Key Takeaway Recognize this social paradox. Themes ego admiration paradox Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - leadership - team building - personal relationships - career advancement Key Concepts social dynamics self-esteem hierarchy Questions to Reflect On - Why do we resist those we look up to? - How can we balance admiration and humility? A Different Perspective May oversimplify complex social interactions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ## Related quotes > [When we love, we admire with the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-we-love-we-admire-with-the-heart/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Just looking at you shines sunlight on every moment I live. Before I knew you, I wasn't even alive. I thought I knew what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-elizabeth-phillips/just-looking-at-you-shines-sunlight-on-every-moment-i-live-before-i/) [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-elizabeth-phillips/) > [The movies we love and admire are to some extent a function of who we are when we see them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-schmich/the-movies-we-love-and-admire-are-to-some-extent-a-function-of-who-we/) [Mary Schmich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-schmich/) > [LOVE ME FOR WHO I AM ADMIRE ME FOR WHO IM TRYING TO BE FOR ONLY THEN WILL I REALLY KNOW THAT YOUR LOVE…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-walder/love-me-for-who-i-am-admire-me-for-who-im-trying-to-be-for-only-then/) [M Walder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-walder/) > [I always wish to find great virtues where there are great talents, and to love what I admire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-montagu/i-always-wish-to-find-great-virtues-where-there-are-great-talents-and/) [Elizabeth Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-montagu/) > [To love is to admire with the heart; to admire is to love with the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophile-gautier/to-love-is-to-admire-with-the-heart-to-admire-is-to-love-with-the-mind/) [Theophile Gautier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophile-gautier/) > [“People are funny when they say they would like to spend time with me because they admire me. I admire myself too. The question…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sacredfire/people-are-funny-when-they-say-they-would-like-to-spend-time-with-me/) [Robin Sacredfire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sacredfire/) > [The age seems sore from excess of stimulation, just as a day or two after a thorough Debauch and long sustained Drinking-match a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/the-age-seems-sore-from-excess-of-stimulation-just-as-a-day-or-two/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [“If they think you admire them, they will admire you because of your good taste, and when they admire you, you have an illusion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/if-they-think-you-admire-them-they-will-admire-you-because-of-your/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [I've built a community of people that I really, really admire, that admire me as well, which is such a crazy concept to wrap…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-consani/i-ve-built-a-community-of-people-that-i-really-really-admire-that/) [Alex Consani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-consani/) > [“If they think you admire them, they will admire you because of your good taste, and when they admire you, you have an illusion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/if-they-think-you-admire-them-they-will-admire-you-because-of-your-2/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [“I admire you. And I admire the battle you are waging with your heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/i-admire-you-and-i-admire-the-battle-you-are-waging-with-your-heart/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [An Awkward Feeling In This World; Is When You Secretly Try To Look At The Person You Admire The Most... And You Find That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/an-awkward-feeling-in-this-world-is-when-you-secretly-try-to-look-at/) Pacifiersucker > [I want men to admire me, but that's a trick you learn at school--a movement of the eyes, a tone of voice, a touch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/i-want-men-to-admire-me-but-that-s-a-trick-you-learn-at-school-a/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [“It’s funny how the same thing a man loves, is the same thing that he hates. What makes me stand out as a woman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-souljah/it-s-funny-how-the-same-thing-a-man-loves-is-the-same-thing-that-he/) [Sister Souljah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sister-souljah/) ## 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 Admire quotes > [Everyone will admire you when you do well. What a horrible thing to do to someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/everyone-will-admire-you-when-you-do-well-what-a-horrible-thing-to-do/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I admire Serena Williams, because, I mean, who doesn't admire Serena Williams?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-konta/i-admire-serena-williams-because-i-mean-who-doesn-t-admire-serena/) [Johanna Konta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-konta/) > [How proud I am to be compared to Oprah. I really admire her. She's a minority woman and she's done all this by herself...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-saralegui/how-proud-i-am-to-be-compared-to-oprah-i-really-admire-her-she-s-a/) [Cristina Saralegui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-saralegui/) > [I admire President Obama's ability to trust strangers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-gutfeld/i-admire-president-obama-s-ability-to-trust-strangers/) [Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/) > [I really admire people's interactions with technology that aren't tech-centric but use it as a tool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-polachek/i-really-admire-people-s-interactions-with-technology-that-aren-t/) [Caroline Polachek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-polachek/) > [During my first years in the Sierra, I was ever calling on everybody within reach to admire them, but I found no one half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/during-my-first-years-in-the-sierra-i-was-ever-calling-on-everybody/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Shaw's works make me admire the magnificent tolerance and broadmindedness of the english.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/shaw-s-works-make-me-admire-the-magnificent-tolerance-and/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [It could be my British need for discipline that makes me admire the American appetite for freedom and passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-winwood/it-could-be-my-british-need-for-discipline-that-makes-me-admire-the/) [Steve Winwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-winwood/) > [I believe in a world where there are no heroes, and I've read and know humanity a lot. There are moments that I admire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/i-believe-in-a-world-where-there-are-no-heroes-and-i-ve-read-and-know/) [Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/) > [I admire machinery as much is any man, and am as thankful to it as any man can be for what it does for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-admire-machinery-as-much-is-any-man-and-am-as-thankful-to-it-as-any/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [I think it's really good and helpful to have the people you most admire in some other discipline than what you work in. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whit-stillman/i-think-it-s-really-good-and-helpful-to-have-the-people-you-most/) [Whit Stillman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whit-stillman/) > [Part of what we admire about a painting or a piece of music is the order which the artist has imposed upon what would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-storr/part-of-what-we-admire-about-a-painting-or-a-piece-of-music-is-the/) [Anthony Storr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-storr/) > [I respect and admire the Premier League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/i-respect-and-admire-the-premier-league/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [“Admire and appreciate your man and he will be happy on your side”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-alfiori/admire-and-appreciate-your-man-and-he-will-be-happy-on-your-side/) [Linda Alfiori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-alfiori/) > [“The thing I admire most about you is no matter how hard, or how much the world has tried to beat you, break you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikita-gill/the-thing-i-admire-most-about-you-is-no-matter-how-hard-or-how-much/) [Nikita Gill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikita-gill/) Browse all 2,369 Admire quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We love those who admire us, but not those whom we admire.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Francois De La Rochefoucauld" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/we-love-those-who-admire-us-but-not-those-whom-we-admire/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Admire" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/we-love-those-who-admire-us-but-not-those-whom-we-admire/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ea/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_admire_we-love-those-who-admire-us-but-not-thos_2114010.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ea/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_admire_we-love-those-who-admire-us-but-not-thos_2114010.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ea/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_admire_we-love-those-who-admire-us-but-not-thos_2114010.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We love those who admire us, but not those whom we admire.” — 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": "We love those who admire us,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/we-love-those-who-admire-us-but-not-those-whom-we-admire/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/we-love-those-who-admire-us-but-not-those-whom-we-admire/#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 } } ] } ```