1,221 Quotes by François de La Rochefoucauld

Humility is often only feigned submission which people use to render others submissive. It is a subterfuge of pride which lowers itself in order to rise.

The esteem of good men is the reward of our worth, but the reputation of the world in general is the gift of our fate.

The only good imitations are those that poke fun at bad originals.

Instead of considering that the worst way to persuade or please others is to try thus strongly to please ourselves, and that to listen well and to answer well are some of the greatest charms we can have in conversation.

Simplicity is a delicate imposition.

Those who have the most cunning affect all their lives to condemn cunning; that they may make use of it on some great occasion, and to some great end.

He who refuses praise the first time that it is offered does so because he would hear it a second time.

The accent of a man's native country remains in his mind and his heart, as it does in his speech.

There are women who never had an intrigue; but there are scarce any who never had but one.