1,221 Quotes by François de La Rochefoucauld

Praise is flattery, artful, hidden, delicate, which gratifies differently him who praises and him who is praised. The one takes it as the reward of merit, the other bestows it to show his impartiality and knowledge.

Our distrust of another justifies his deceit.

There is a sort of love whose very excessiveness prevents the lover's being jealous.

A man seldom finds people unthankful, as long as he remains in a condition of benefiting them further.

Humility is the altar upon which God wishes that we should offer Him His sacrifices.

We have more ability than will power, and it is often an excuse to ourselves that we imagine that things are impossible.

It is easier to know men in general, than men in particular.

We often pay our debts not because it is only fair that we should, but to make future loans easier.

The temperament that produces a talent for little things is the opposite of that required for great ones.