Great and glorious events which dazzle the beholder are represented by politicians as the outcome of grand designs whereas they are usually products of temperaments and passions. Francois de La Rochefoucauld More Quotes by Francois de La Rochefoucauld More Quotes From Francois de La Rochefoucauld We arrive at the various stages of life quite as novices. Francois de La Rochefoucauld novices experience life No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong. Francois de La Rochefoucauld cynical relationship life To achieve greatness one should live as if they will never die. Francois de La Rochefoucauld achieve greatness should The strongest symptom of wisdom in man is his being sensible of his own follies. Francois de La Rochefoucauld symptoms wisdom men Our virtues are often, in reality, no better than vices disguised. Francois de La Rochefoucauld virtue vices reality The secret of pleasing in conversation is not to explain too much everything; to say them half and leave a little for divination is a mark of the good opinion we have of others, and nothing flatters their self-love more. Francois de La Rochefoucauld half self secret The violence we do to ourselves in order to remain faithful to the one we love is hardly better than an act of infidelity. Francois de La Rochefoucauld love-is relationship order A man's happiness or unhappiness depends as much on his temperament as on his destiny. Francois de La Rochefoucauld unhappiness destiny men The art of putting into play mediocre qualities often begets more reputation than is achieved by true merit. Francois de La Rochefoucauld quality play art There is no disguise which can hide love for long where it exists, or simulate it where it does not. Francois de La Rochefoucauld inspirational love long Idiots and lunatics see only their own wit. Francois de La Rochefoucauld wit idiot The world is full of pots jeering at kettles. Francois de La Rochefoucauld jeering judgment world In the presence of some people we inevitably depart From ourselves: we are inaccurate, we say things we do not feel, And talk nonsense. When we get home we are conscious that we Have made fools of ourselves. Never go near these people. Francois de La Rochefoucauld being-yourself home people Propriety is the least of all laws, and the most observed. Francois de La Rochefoucauld propriety law Self-interest makes some people blind, and others sharp-sighted. Francois de La Rochefoucauld blind self people It is great folly to wish to be wise all alone. Francois de La Rochefoucauld wisdom wise wish The constancy of the wise is only the talent of concealing the agitation of their hearts. Francois de La Rochefoucauld consistency wise heart L'absence diminue les mediocres passions, et augmente les grandes,comme le vent eteint les bougies, et allume le feu. Absence diminishes commonplace passions, and increases great ones, as wind extinguishes candles and kindles fire. Francois de La Rochefoucauld passion fire wind Pride does not wish to owe and vanity does not wish to pay. Francois de La Rochefoucauld vanity pride wish There is no better proof of a man's being truly good than his desiring to be constantly under the observation of good men. Francois de La Rochefoucauld good-man desire men
