François de La Rochefoucauld

Find the best quotes, maxims and aphorisms of François de La Rochefoucauld

Biography : French moralist, author of maxims and memoirs.
Born: 1613 - Died: 1680
Period:
17th century
Place of birth: France
France

France

François de La Rochefoucauld - Quotes

It is easier to be wise for others than for ourselves.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

There is no disguise which can long hide love where it exists, nor feign it where it does not.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

If we had no pride we should not complain of that of others.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

Philosophy triumphs easily over past evils and future evils; but present evils triumph over it.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

Few people know how to be old.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

to know

We are never so happy or so unhappy as we suppose.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

happiness

If we had no faults we should not take so much pleasure in noting those of others.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

The virtues lose themselves in interest as the rivers are lost in the sea.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

Jealousy contains more of self-love than of love.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

True eloquence consists in saying all that should be, not all that could be said.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

Interest speaks all sorts of tongues and plays all sorts of characters; even that of disinterestedness.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

interest

Like plants, most men have hidden properties that chance alone reveals.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

The happiness or unhappiness of men depends no less upon their dispositions than their fortunes.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

happiness

Strength and weakness of mind are mis-named; they are really only the good or happy arrangement of our bodily organs.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

We have more strength than will; and it is often merely for an excuse we say things are impossible.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

Neither the sun nor death can be looked at without winking.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

We have all sufficient strength to support the misfortunes of others.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

The truest way to be deceived is to think oneself more knowing than others.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

others

The confidence which we have in ourselves gives birth to much of that which we have in others.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

If there is a pure love, exempt from the mixture of our other passions, it is that which is concealed at the bottom of the heart and of which even ourselves are ignorant.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

Truth does not do as much good in the world, as its counterfeits do evil.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

There are no accidents so unfortunate from which skilful men will not draw some advantage, nor so fortunate that foolish men will not turn them to their hurt.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

The contempt of riches in philosophers was only a hidden desire to avenge their merit upon the injustice of fortune, by despising the very goods of which fortune had deprived them; it was a secret to guard themselves against the degradation of poverty, it was a back way by which to arrive at that distinction which they could not gain by riches.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

Whatever great advantages nature may give, it is not she alone, but fortune also that makes the hero.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

Our temper sets a price upon every gift that we receive from fortune.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

Those who apply themselves too closely to little things often become incapable of great things.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

We promise according to our hopes; we perform according to our fears.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

The constancy of the wise is only the talent of concealing the agitation of their hearts.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

The moderation of those who are happy arises from the calm which good fortune bestows upon their temper.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /

happiness

In the human heart there is a perpetual generation of passions; so that the ruin of one is almost always the foundation of another.
François de La Rochefoucauld - Reflections, or Sentences and Moral Maxims /