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 It is more often from pride than from ignorance that we are so obstinately opposed to current opinions; we find the first places taken, and we do not want to be the last. Francois de La Rochefoucauld pride ignorance taken We often pay our debts not because it is only fair that we should, but to make future loans easier. Francois de La Rochefoucauld debt loan pay Only great men have great faults. Francois de La Rochefoucauld great-men faults men He who imagines he can do without the world deceives himself much; but he who fancies the world cannot do without him is still more mistaken. Francois de La Rochefoucauld fancy pride world Organize one's values in the order of their worth Francois de La Rochefoucauld government goal order In the intercourse of life, we please more by our faults than by our good qualities. Francois de La Rochefoucauld please faults quality We are inconsolable at being deceived by our enemies and being betrayed by our friends, yet we are often content in be being treated like that by our own selves. Francois de La Rochefoucauld deception self enemy No man is clever enough to know all the evil he does. Francois de La Rochefoucauld clever silly men We rarely think people have good sense unless they agree with us. Francois de La Rochefoucauld agree people thinking As one grows older, one becomes wiser and more foolish. Francois de La Rochefoucauld age silly time How can we expect another to keep our secret if we have been unable to keep it ourselves? Francois de La Rochefoucauld keeping-secrets has-beens secret It is easier to appear worthy of a position one does not hold, than of the office which one fills. Francois de La Rochefoucauld office doe work Moderation is an ostentatious proof of our strength of character. Francois de La Rochefoucauld moderation proof character To be a great man it is necessary to turn to account all opportunities. Francois de La Rochefoucauld turns opportunity men Whatever ignominy or disgrace we have incurred, it is almost always in our power to reestablish our reputation. Francois de La Rochefoucauld ignominy disgrace reputation The passions possess a certain injustice and self interest which makes it dangerous to follow them, and in reality we should distrust them even when they appear most trustworthy. Francois de La Rochefoucauld passion self reality The sure mark of one born with noble qualities is being born without envy. Francois de La Rochefoucauld envy jealousy quality I always say to myself, what is the most important thing we can think about at this extraordinary moment. Francois de La Rochefoucauld extraordinary-moments gratitude thinking We always like those who admire us. Francois de La Rochefoucauld admiration admire There are certain defects which, well-mounted, glitter like virtue itself. Francois de La Rochefoucauld glitter virtue certain
