Sincerity is a certain openness of heart. It is to be found in very few, and what we commonly look upon to be so is only a cunningsort of dissimulation, to insinuate ourselves into the confidence of others. Francois de La Rochefoucauld More Quotes by Francois de La Rochefoucauld More Quotes From Francois de La Rochefoucauld There are heroes in evil as well as in good. Francois de La Rochefoucauld heroismheroevil We may seem great in an employment below our worth, but we very often look little in one that is too big for us. Francois de La Rochefoucauld employmentmaylooks Silence is the safest course for any man to adopt who distrust himself. Francois de La Rochefoucauld confidencesilencemen Decency is the least of all laws, but yet it is the law which is most strictly observed. Francois de La Rochefoucauld decencylaw Politeness is a desire to be treated politely, and to be esteemed polite oneself. Francois de La Rochefoucauld treatedpolitedesire We often forgive those who bore us, but we cannot forgive those whom we bore. Francois de La Rochefoucauld boresforgiving It's the height of folly to want to be the only wise one. Francois de La Rochefoucauld heightwisdomwise There is a kind of elevation which does not depend on fortune; it is a certain air which distinguishes us, and seems to destine us for great things; it is a price which we imperceptibly set upon ourselves. Francois de La Rochefoucauld kindairdoe What is called generosity is usually only the vanity of giving; we enjoy the vanity more than the thing given. Francois de La Rochefoucauld vanitygenerositygiving There are various sorts of curiosity; one is from interest, which makes us desire to know that which may be useful to us; and the other, from pride which comes from the wish to know what others are ignorant of. Francois de La Rochefoucauld ignorantcuriositypride There are very few things impossible in themselves; and we do not want means to conquer difficulties so much as application and resolution in the use of means. Francois de La Rochefoucauld usewantmean Though nature be ever so generous, yet can she not make a hero alone. Fortune must contribute her part too; and till both concur, the work cannot be perfected. Francois de La Rochefoucauld concurherofortune Many people despise wealth, but few know how to give it away. Francois de La Rochefoucauld givinglifepeople Chance corrects us of many faults that reason would not know how to correct. Francois de La Rochefoucauld faultschanceluck We are sometimes as different from ourselves as we are from others. Francois de La Rochefoucauld self-improvementgrowthinspirational Jealousy is bred in doubts. When those doubts change into certainties, then the passion either ceases or turns absolute madness. Francois de La Rochefoucauld jealousypassiondoubt Familiarity is a suspension of almost all the laws of civility, which libertinism has introduced into society under the notion of ease. Francois de La Rochefoucauld civilitylawease The name and pretense of virtue is as serviceable to self-interest as are real vices. Francois de La Rochefoucauld realselfnames Were we faultless, we would not derive such satisfaction from remarking the faults of others. Francois de La Rochefoucauld faultssatisfactionwise However we may conceal our passions under the veil ... there is always some place where they peep out. Francois de La Rochefoucauld veilspassionmay
