A man of understanding finds less difficulty in submitting to a wrong-headed fellow, than in attempting to set him right. Francois de La Rochefoucauld More Quotes by Francois de La Rochefoucauld More Quotes From Francois de La Rochefoucauld Confidence in conversation has a greater share than wit. Francois de La Rochefoucauld confidenceshareconversation He is safe who admits no one to his confidence. Francois de La Rochefoucauld confidencesafe Whatever distrust we may have of the sincerity of those who converse with us, we always believe they will tell us more truth than they do to others. Francois de La Rochefoucauld confidencemaybelieve The constancy of the wise is only the art of keeping disquietude to one's self. Francois de La Rochefoucauld selfwiseart None but the contemptible are apprehensive of contempt. Francois de La Rochefoucauld contempt Those only are despicable who fear to be despised. Francois de La Rochefoucauld despiseddespicablecontempt It is given to few persons to keep this secret well. Those who lay down rules too often break them, and the safest we are able to give is to listen much, to speak little, and to say nothing that that will ever give ground or regret. Francois de La Rochefoucauld regretsecretgiving Women find it far more difficult to overcome their inclination to coquetry than to overcome their love. Francois de La Rochefoucauld coquettecoquetryovercoming For the credit of virtue we must admit that the greatest misfortunes of men are those into which they fall through their crimes. Francois de La Rochefoucauld creditmenfall The most sure method of subjecting yourself to be deceived is to consider yourself more cunning than others. Francois de La Rochefoucauld cunningmethoddeceived Were we perfectly acquainted with the object, we should never passionately desire it. Francois de La Rochefoucauld delusionshoulddesire In love the deceit generally outstrips the distrust. Francois de La Rochefoucauld distrustdeceit We often boast that we are never bored; but yet we are so conceited that we do not perceive how often we bore others. Francois de La Rochefoucauld egotismboredconceited Esteem never makes ingrates. Francois de La Rochefoucauld ingratesesteem Nothing is so contagious as example; never was there any considerable good or ill done that does not produce its like. We imitate good actions through emulation, and had ones through a malignity in our nature, which shame conceals, and example sets at liberty. Francois de La Rochefoucauld emulationlibertyexample There are follies as catching as contagious disorders. Francois de La Rochefoucauld catchingdisorderexample It is not expedient or wise to examine our friends too closely; few persons are raised in our esteem by a close examination. Francois de La Rochefoucauld expediencyexaminationwise It is far better to be deceived than undeceived by those whom we tenderly love. Francois de La Rochefoucauld falsitydeceived Fancy sets the value on the gifts of fortune. Francois de La Rochefoucauld valuesfancyfortune Flattery is false money, which would not be current were it not for our vanity. Francois de La Rochefoucauld flatteryvanitycurrents
