1,221 Quotes by François de La Rochefoucauld

We label judges with having the meanest motives, and yet we desire that our reputation and fame should depend upon the judgment of men, who are all, either from their jealousy or preoccupation or want of intelligence, opposed to us - and yet despite their bias, just for the sake of making these men decide in our favor, we peril in so many ways both our peace and our life.

It is oftener by the estimation of our own feelings that we exaggerate the good qualities of others than by their merit, and when we praise them we wish to attract their praise.

We are more often treacherous through weakness than through calculation.

It is necessary, in order to know things well, to know the particulars of them; and these, being infinite, make our knowledge eversuperficial and imperfect.

Female gossips are generally actuated by active ignorance.

It is as proper to have pride in oneself as it ridiculous to show it to others.

Sobriety is concern for one's health - or limited capacity.

We often are consoled by our want of reason for misfortunes that reason could not have comforted.

One is never fortunate or as unfortunate as one imagines.