1,221 Quotes by François de La Rochefoucauld

The hunger for applause is the source for all conscious literature and heroism

The greatest fault of a penetrating wit is to go beyond the mark.

Were we perfectly acquainted with the object, we should never passionately desire it.

To establish ourselves in the world, we have to do all we can to appear established. To succeed in the world, we do everything we can to appear successful.

The force we use on ourselves, to prevent ourselves from loving, is often more cruel than the severest treatment at the hands of one loved.

The reason why lovers and their mistresses never tire of being together is that they are always talking of themselves. [Fr., Ce qui fait que amants et les maitresses ne s'ennuient point d'etre ensemble; c'est qu'ils parlent toujours d'eux memes.]

Self-love makes our friends appear more or less deserving in proportion to the delight we take in them, and the measures by whichwe judge of their worth depend upon the manner of their conversing with us.

There is many a virtuous woman weary of her trade.

Virtue would not make such advances if there were not a little vanity to keep it company.