1,221 Quotes by François de La Rochefoucauld

Nothing ought in reason to mortify our self-satisfaction more that the considering that we condemn at one time what we highly approve and commend at another.

We should often blush at our noblest deeds if the world were to see all their underlying motives.

Gallantry of mind consists in saying flattering things in an agreeable manner.

When love becomes labored we welcome an act of infidelity towards ourselves to free us from fidelity.

As it is the mark of great minds to say many things in a few words, so it is that of little minds to use many words to say nothing.

Confidence always pleases those who receive it. It is a tribute we pay to their merit, a deposit we commit to their trust, a pledge that gives them a claim upon us, a kind of dependence to which we voluntarily submit.

We do not despise all those who have vices, but we do despise those that have no virtue.

However wicked men may be, they do not dare openly to appear the enemies of virtue, and when they desire to persecute her they either pretend to believe her false or attribute crimes to her.

Affected simplicity is an elegant imposture.