1,221 Quotes by François de La Rochefoucauld

Taste may change, but inclination never.

Happiness does not consist in things themselves but in the relish we have of them; and a man has attained it when he enjoys what he loves and desires himself, and not what other people think lovely and desirable.

Truth does not do as much good in the world as its imitations do harm.

The height of ability consists in a thorough knowledge of the real value of things, and of the genius of the age in which we live.

All women seem by nature to be coquettes.

We do not praise others, ordinarily, but in order to be praised ourselves.

The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. The glory of great men should always be measured by the means they have used to acpuire it.

Self-love is the love of a man's own self, and of everything else for his own sake. It makes people idolaters to themselves, and tyrants to all the world besides.

Philosophy triumphs easily over past evils and future evils, but present evils triumph over it.