Deprived of the company of fools, a great wit does not seem half so clever. Francois Alexandre Frederic, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt More Quotes by Francois Alexandre Frederic, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt More Quotes From Francois Alexandre Frederic, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt The most trying fools are the bright ones. Francois Alexandre Frederic, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt fool trying The highest skill is the true judgment of values. Francois Alexandre Frederic, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt judgment highest skills More things are left undone through neglect of duty than through neglect of self-interest. Francois Alexandre Frederic, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt undone neglect self What men have given the name of friendship to is nothing but an alliance, a reciprocal accommodation of interest, an exchange of good offices; in it is nothing but a system of traffic, in which self-love always proposes to itself some advantage. Francois Alexandre Frederic, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt self names men The unbosoming oneself to another is a kind of release to the soul, which strives to lighten its burden and find ease by throwing off the weight that lay heavy upon it. Francois Alexandre Frederic, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt weight soul ease The disabusing a man strongly possessed with an opinion of his own worth is the very same ill office that was done to the fool at Athens, who fancied all the ships that came into the harbor were his own. Francois Alexandre Frederic, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt office done men However different men's fortunes may be, there is always something or other that balances the ill and the good, and makes all even at last. Francois Alexandre Frederic, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt balance different men Young women that would not be thought coquettish, and old men that would not be ridiculous, should never talk of love, as if they had any concern in it. Francois Alexandre Frederic, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt ridiculous should men Nature seems to have treasured up the depth of our mind talents and abilities that we are not aware of; it is the privilege of the passions alone to bring them to light, and to direct us sometimes to surer and more excellent aims than conscious effort could. Francois Alexandre Frederic, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt effort passion light Most frequently we make confidants from vanity, a love of talking, a wish to win the confidence of others, and to make an exchange of secrets. Francois Alexandre Frederic, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt confidence vanity winning Nothing is given so willingly as advice. Francois Alexandre Frederic, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt given advice
