Francois de La Rochefoucauld quotes

“The passions are the only orators which always persuade.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“A refusal of praise is a desire to be praised twice.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“When we disclaim praise, it is only showing our desire to be praised a second time.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

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

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“The mind is always the patsy of the heart.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Few things are impracticable in themselves; and it is for want of application, rather than of means, that men fail to succeed. ”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Those who occupy their minds with small matters, generally become incapable of greatness. ”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“The accent of one's birthplace remains in the mind and in the heart as in one's speech.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“We all have enough strength to endure the misfortunes of others.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Timidity is a fault for which it is dangerous to reprove persons whom we wish to correct of it. ”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“In all professions each affects a look and an exterior to appear what he wishes the world to believe that he is. Thus we may say that the whole world is made up of appearances.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“It is easier to appear worthy of a position one does not hold, than of the office which one fills.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

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

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Taste may change, but inclination never.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“The happiness and misery of men depend no less on temper than fortune.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Perfect Valor is to do, without a witness, all that we could do before the whole world.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“We do not despise all those who have vices, but we do despise those that have no virtue.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Love often leads on to ambition, but seldom does one return from ambition to love.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Being a blockhead is sometimes the best security against being cheated by a man of wit.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“The defects of the mind, like those of the face, grow worse with age.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“If we did not flatter ourselves, the flattery of others could never harm us.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Some people displease with merit, and others' very faults and defects are pleasing.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“We are so used to dissembling with others that in time we come to deceive and dissemble with ourselves. ”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“We may sooner be brought to love them that hate us, than them that love us more than we would have them do.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Our virtues are often, in reality, no better than vices disguised.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“There are very few things impossible in themselves; and we do not want means to conquer difficulties so much as application and resolution in the use of means.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“There is many a virtuous woman weary of her trade.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“However glorious an action in itself, it ought not to pass for great if it be not the effect of wisdom and intention.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Nothing hinders a thing from being natural so much as the straining ourselves to make it seem so.”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Perfect courage is to do without witnesses what one would be capable of doing with the world looking on. ”

— Francois de La Rochefoucauld