François de La Rochefoucauld Quotes

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Absence abates a moderate passion and intensifies a great one - as the wind blows out a candle but fans fire into flame.

François de La Rochefoucauld
When the vices give us up, we flatter ourselves that we are giving up them.

François de La Rochefoucauld
The vivacity which increases with old age is not so far removed from folly.

François de La Rochefoucauld
We may bestow advice, but we cannot inspire the conduct.

François de La Rochefoucauld
It is more ignominious to mistrust our friends than to be deceived by them.

François de La Rochefoucauld
One must listen if one wishes to be listened to.

François de La Rochefoucauld
Self-love is the greatest of all flatterers.

François de La Rochefoucauld
We often forgive those who bore us, but we cannot forgive those whom we bore.

François de La Rochefoucauld
It is not a pain to give to ingrates, but it is an intolerable one to be obliged to a dishonest man.

François de La Rochefoucauld
Flattery is counterfeit money which, but for vanity, would have no circulation.

François de La Rochefoucauld
In love, the first healed is the best healed.

François de La Rochefoucauld
None laugh better, and oftener, than women with fine teeth.

François de La Rochefoucauld
Sincerity is an openness of heart; we find it in very few people; what we usually see is only an artful dissimulation to win the confidence of others.

François de La Rochefoucauld
We all have strength enough to endure the misfortunes of others.

François de La Rochefoucauld
Most people judge men only by their success or their good fortune.

François de La Rochefoucauld
The same force which serves to resist love also makes it strong and lasting; and weak people, who are always shaken by passions, are almost never fulfilled by them.

François de La Rochefoucauld
There is an eloquent silence: it serves sometimes to approve, sometimes to condemn; there is a mocking silence; there is a respectful silence.

François de La Rochefoucauld
If we had no faults of our own, we would not take so much pleasure in noticing those of others.

François de La Rochefoucauld
The passions are the only advocates which always persuade. They are a natural art, the rules of which are infallible; and the simplest man with passion will be more persuasive than the most eloquent without.

François de La Rochefoucauld
The heart of a coquette is like a rose, of which the lovers pluck the leaves, leaving only the thorns for the husband.

François de La Rochefoucauld
Small minds are hurt by the smallest things.

François de La Rochefoucauld
We always like those who admire us; we do not always like those whom we admire.

François de La Rochefoucauld
In jealousy there is more of self-love than love.

François de La Rochefoucauld
Passion often renders the most clever man a fool, and even sometimes renders the most foolish man clever.

François de La Rochefoucauld
The glory of great men should always be measured against the means they used to acquire it.

François de La Rochefoucauld
What is called generosity is usually only the vanity of giving; we enjoy the vanity more than the thing given.

François de La Rochefoucauld
It is more difficult to avoid being ruled than to rule others.

François de La Rochefoucauld
Complete courage and absolute cowardice are extremes that very few men fall into. The vast middle space contains all the intermediate kinds and degrees of courage; and these differ as much from one another as men's faces or their humors do.

François de La Rochefoucauld
Perfect valor is to behave, without witnesses, as one would act were all the world watching.

François de La Rochefoucauld
Some people's faults are becoming to them; others are disgraced by their own good traits.

François de La Rochefoucauld