1,221 Quotes by François de La Rochefoucauld

The contempt of riches in the philosophers was a concealed desire of revenging on fortune the injustice done to their merit, by despising the good she denied them.

The intention of never deceiving often exposes us to deception.

Nothing prevents one from appearing natural as the desire to appear natural.

A wise man should order his interests, and set them all in their proper places. This order is often troubled by greed, which putsus upon pursuing so many things at once that, in eagerness for matters of less consideration, we grasp at trifles, and let go things of greater value.

What makes us so bitter against people who outwit us is that they think themselves cleverer than we are.

Few are sufficiently wise to prefer censure which is useful to praise which is treacherous.

Passion often makes fools of the wisest men and gives the silliest wisdom.

Raillery is more insupportable than wrong; because we have a right to resent injuries, but are ridiculous in being angry at a jest.

Passion very often makes the wisest men fools, and very often too inspires the greatest fools with wit.