1,221 Quotes by François de La Rochefoucauld

Some people are so extremely whiffling and inconsiderable that they are as far from any real faults as from substantial virtues.

Our aversion to lying is commonly a secret ambition to make what we say considerable, and have every word received with a religious respect.

We would rather speak ill of ourselves than not talk about ourselves at all.

Whilst weakness and timidity keep us to our duty, virtue has often all the honor.

The grace of novelty and the length of habit, though so very opposite to one another, yet agree in this, that they both alike keepus from discovering the faults of our friends.

We sometimes differ more widely from ourselves than we do from others.

However glorious an action in itself, it ought not to pass for great if it be not the effect of wisdom and intention.

We give advice, we do not inspire conduct.

There is scarcely any man sufficiently clever to appreciate all the evil he does.