1,221 Quotes by François de La Rochefoucauld

Men are not only prone to forget benefits; they even hate those who have obliged them, and cease to hate those who have injured them. The necessity of revenging an injury, or of recompensing a benefit seems a slavery to which they are unwilling to submit.

The duration of our passions is no more dependent on ourselves than the duration of our lives.

It is with true love as it is with ghosts; everyone talks about it, but few have seen it.

Hope, deceitful as it is, carries us through life agreeably enough.

We are eager to believe that others are flawed because we are eager to believe in what we wish for.

Bodily labor alleviates the pains of the mind and from this arises the happiness of the poor

The art of using moderate abilities to advantage often brings greater results than actual brilliance

We love much better those who endeavor to imitate us, than those who strive to equal us. For imitation is a sign of esteem, but competition of envy.

That good disposition which boasts of being most tender is often stifled by the least urging of self-interest.