Love of fame, fear of disgrace, schemes for advancement, desire to make life comfortable and pleasant, and the urge to humiliate others are often at the root of the valour men hold in such high esteem. 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 novicesexperiencelife No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong. Francois de La Rochefoucauld cynicalrelationshiplife To achieve greatness one should live as if they will never die. Francois de La Rochefoucauld achievegreatnessshould The strongest symptom of wisdom in man is his being sensible of his own follies. Francois de La Rochefoucauld symptomswisdommen Our virtues are often, in reality, no better than vices disguised. Francois de La Rochefoucauld virtuevicesreality 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 halfselfsecret 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-isrelationshiporder A man's happiness or unhappiness depends as much on his temperament as on his destiny. Francois de La Rochefoucauld unhappinessdestinymen The art of putting into play mediocre qualities often begets more reputation than is achieved by true merit. Francois de La Rochefoucauld qualityplayart There is no disguise which can hide love for long where it exists, or simulate it where it does not. Francois de La Rochefoucauld inspirationallovelong Idiots and lunatics see only their own wit. Francois de La Rochefoucauld witidiot The world is full of pots jeering at kettles. Francois de La Rochefoucauld jeeringjudgmentworld 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-yourselfhomepeople Propriety is the least of all laws, and the most observed. Francois de La Rochefoucauld proprietylaw Self-interest makes some people blind, and others sharp-sighted. Francois de La Rochefoucauld blindselfpeople It is great folly to wish to be wise all alone. Francois de La Rochefoucauld wisdomwisewish The constancy of the wise is only the talent of concealing the agitation of their hearts. Francois de La Rochefoucauld consistencywiseheart 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 passionfirewind Pride does not wish to owe and vanity does not wish to pay. Francois de La Rochefoucauld vanitypridewish 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-mandesiremen
