French author (1613-1680)
A resolution never to deceive exposes a man to be often deceived.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Those who apply themselves too much to little things commonly become incapable of great ones.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Before we passionately desire a thing, we should examine the happiness of its possessor.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
The only good copies are those that point out the ridicule of bad originals.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Some weak people are sensible of their weakness and able to make good use of it.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Philosophy triumphs easily over past evils and future evils; but present evils triumph over it.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
A man cannot please long who has only one kind of wit.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
Jealousy is always born with love, but doesn't always die with it.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
The head can't long act the part of the heart.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Hypocrisy is the homage of vice to virtue.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
The rust of business is sometimes polished off in a camp; but never in a court.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
There is a season for man's merit as well as for fruit.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Maxims
We may say, vices wait on us in the course of our life as the landlords with whom we successively lodge, and if we traveled the road twice over, I doubt if our experience would make us avoid them.
LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
attributed, Encyclopædia of Quotations: A Treasury of Wisdom, Wit and Humor, Odd Comparisons and Proverbs
The constancy of the wise is only the talent of concealing the agitation of their hearts.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
'Tis as easy to deceive ourselves without our perceiving it, as 'tis difficult to deceive others without their perceiving it.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Fortune turns everything to the advantage of her favorites.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
It is far easier to know men than to know man.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
We easily forgive in our friends those faults we do not perceive.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
We may appear great in an employment below our merit; but we often appear little in an employment that is too great for us.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Nothing is less sincere than the manner of asking and giving advice. He who asks it seems to have a respectful deference for the opinion of his friend; though he only aims at making him approve his own, and be responsible for his conduct. And he who gives it, repays the confidence reposed in him by a seemingly disinterested zeal; though he seldom means anything by the advice he gives but his own interest or reputation.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims