1,221 Quotes by François de La Rochefoucauld

Everyone agrees that a secret should be kept intact, but everyone does not agree as to the nature and importance of secrecy. Too often we consult ourselves as to what we should say, what we should leave unsaid. There are few permanent secrets, and the scruple against revealing them will not last forever.

Most men, like plants, possess hidden qualities which chance discovers.

Our distrust justifies the deceit of others.

True bravery is shown by performing without witness what one might be capable of doing before all the world.

Those whom the world has delighted to honor have oftener been influenced in their doings by ambition and vanity than by patriotism.

None deserve praise for being good who have not the spirit to be bad: goodness, for the most part, is nothing but indolence or weakness of will.

To be a great man it is necessary to know how to profit by the whole of our good fortune.

In love deceit almost always outstrips distrust.

Gratitude, in most men, is only a strong and secret hope of greater favors.