1,221 Quotes by François de La Rochefoucauld

Nothing is so capable of diminishing self-love as the observation that we disapprove at one time what we approve at another.

We are very far from always knowing our own wishes.

A man often imagines that he acts, when he is acted upon.

The art of putting into play mediocre qualities often begets more reputation than is achieved by true merit.

Narrow minds think nothing right that is above their own capacity.

Virtue is the habit of acting according to wisdom. GOTTFRIED WILHELM LEIBNIZ, "Felicity", Leibniz: Political Writings Virtue is harder to be got than knowledge of the world; and, if lost in a young man, is seldom recovered. JOHN LOCKE, Some Thoughts Concerning Education 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.

There are very few things impossible in themselves; and we do not want means to conquer difficulties so much as application and resolution in the use of means.

A man may be sharper than another, but not than all others.

Sincerity is a certain openness of heart. It is to be found in very few, and what we commonly look upon to be so is only a cunningsort of dissimulation, to insinuate ourselves into the confidence of others.