1,221 Quotes by François de La Rochefoucauld

Of all our faults, the one we avow most easily is idleness; we persuade ourselves that it is allied to all the peaceable virtues,and as for the others, that it does not destroy them utterly, but only suspends the exercise of their functions.

We only confess our little faults to persuade people that we have no big ones.

When we enlarge upon the affection our friends have for us, this is very often not so much out of a sense of gratitude as from a desire to persuade people of our own great worth, that can deserve so much kindness.

The smallest fault of women who give themselves up to love is to love.

It's easier to be wise for others than for ourselves.

There are no events so disastrous that adroit men do not draw some advantage from them, nor any so fortunate that the imprudent cannot turn to their own prejudice.

How deceitful hope may be, yet she carries us on pleasantly to the end of life.

To achieve greatness one should live as if they will never die.

We often boast that we are never bored; but yet we are so conceited that we do not perceive how often we bore others.