1,221 Quotes by François de La Rochefoucauld

A certain harmony should be kept between actions and ideas if we want to fully develop the effects they can produce.

There are some people who would never have fallen in love if they had not heard there was such a thing.

There are few occasions when we should make a bad bargain by giving up the good on condition that no ill was said of us.

A fool has not stuff enough to make a good man.

Renewed friendships require more care than those that have never been broken.

Even women are perfect at the outset.

We often in our misfortunes take that for constancy and patience which is only dejection of mind; we suffer without daring to holdup our heads, just as cowards let themselves be knocked on the head because they have not courage to strike back.

When we disclaim praise, it is only showing our desire to be praised a second time.

Those great and glorious actions that dazzle our eyes with their luster are represented by statesmen as the result of great wisdomand excellent design; whereas, in truth, they are commonly the effects of the humors and passions.