1,221 Quotes by François de La Rochefoucauld

The world more often rewards the appearances of merit than merit itself.

There is no praise we have not lavished upon prudence; and yet she cannot assure to us the most trifling event.

We are better pleased to see those on whom we confer benefits than those from whom we receive them.

The aversion to lying is often a hidden ambition to render our words credible and weighty, and to attach a religious aspect to our conversation.

Our actions are like blank rhymes, to which everyone applies what sense he pleases.

Innocence does not find near so much protection as guilt.

Minds of moderate caliber ordinarily condemn everthing which is beyond their range.

To praise great actions is in some sense to share them.

The truest comparison we can make of love is to liken it to a fever; we have no more power over the one than the other, either as to its violence or duration.