1,221 Quotes by François de La Rochefoucauld

Kings do with men as with pieces of money; they give them what value they please, and we are obliged to receive them at their current and not at their real value.

It seems that nature, which has so wisely disposed our bodily organs with a view to our happiness, has also bestowed on us pride, to spare us the pain of being aware of our imperfections.

Great names abase, instead of elevating, those who do not know how to bear them.

Bravery in simple soldiers is a dangerous trade, to which they have bound themselves to get their livelihood.

Love, like fire, cannot subsist without constant impulse; it ceases to live from the moment it ceases to hope or to fear.

There are no accidents so unlucky but the prudent may draw some advantage from them.

The accent of one's birthplace remains in the mind and in the heart as in one's speech.

Tis more dishonourable to distrust a friend than to be deceived by him.

Youth changes its tastes by the warmth of its blood; age retains its tastes by habit.