We never desire strongly, what we desire rationally. Francois de La Rochefoucauld More Quotes by Francois de La Rochefoucauld More Quotes From Francois de La Rochefoucauld It may be said that the vices await us in the journey of life like hosts with whom we must successively lodge; and I doubt whether experience would make us avoid them if we were to travel the same road a second time. Francois de La Rochefoucauld vices journey doubt The vices enter into the composition of the virtues, as poisons into that of medicines. Prudence collects and arranges them, and uses them beneficially against the ills of life. Francois de La Rochefoucauld medicine poison vices What often prevents our abandoning ourselves to a single vice is, our having more than one. Francois de La Rochefoucauld vices The vivacity that augments with years is not far from folly. Francois de La Rochefoucauld vivacity folly years We should wish for few things with eagerness, if we perfectly knew the nature of that which was the object of our desire. Francois de La Rochefoucauld wish want desire The most brilliant fortunes are often not worth the littleness required to gain them. Francois de La Rochefoucauld wealth brilliant gains Our wisdom is no less at fortune's mercy than our wealth. Francois de La Rochefoucauld wealth mercy wisdom Wit sometimes enables us to act rudely with impunity. Francois de La Rochefoucauld impunity wit sometimes A man does not please long when he has only species of wit. Francois de La Rochefoucauld doe men long A small degree of wit, accompanied by good sense, is less tiresome in the long run than a great amount of wit without it. Francois de La Rochefoucauld degrees running long A good woman is a hidden treasure; who discovers her will do well not to boast about it. Francois de La Rochefoucauld good-woman women treasure Women can less easily surmount their coquetry than their passions. Francois de La Rochefoucauld coquetry women passion As it is the mark of great minds to say many things in a few words, so it is that of little minds to use many words to say nothing. Francois de La Rochefoucauld use mind littles Youth is a continual intoxication; it is the fever of reason. Francois de La Rochefoucauld fever youth reason Nothing is more ridiculous in old people that were once good-looking, than to forget that they are not so still. Francois de La Rochefoucauld age beauty people Moral severity in women is only a dress or paint which they use to set off their beauty. Francois de La Rochefoucauld women dresses beauty To think to be wise alone is a very great folly. Francois de La Rochefoucauld wisdom wise thinking The desire to be thought clever often prevents a man from becoming so. Francois de La Rochefoucauld wisdom clever men As we grow older, we increase in folly--and in wisdom. Francois de La Rochefoucauld increase wisdom age Our wisdom lies as much at the mercy of fortune as our possessions do. Francois de La Rochefoucauld mercy wisdom lying
