1,221 Quotes by François de La Rochefoucauld

Most people know no other way of judging men's worth but by the vogue they are in, or the fortunes they have met with.

Friendship is only a reciprocal conciliation of interests, and an exchange of good offices; it is a species of commerce out of which self-love always expects to gain something.

It is easier to rule others than to keep from being ruled oneself.

Prudence and love are inconsistent; in proportion as the last increases, the other decreases.

To be a great man it is necessary to turn to account all opportunities.

If we did not flatter ourselves, the flattery of others could never harm us.

A true friend is the most precious of all possessions and the one we take the least thought about acquiring.

It's easier to know people in general than one person in particular

We sometimes condemn the present, by praising the past; and show our contempt of what is now, by our esteem for what is no more.