French author (1613-1680)
Our virtues are usually just vices in disguise.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
The greatest miracle of love is the reformation of a coquette.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
The head is always the bubble of the heart.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Hope and fear are inseparable.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
Civility is a desire to receive civilities, and to be accounted well-bred.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
A resolution never to deceive exposes a man to be often deceived.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
A fool has not stuff enough to make a good man.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
In love, the quickest is always the best cure.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
Men may boast of their great actions; but they are more often the effects of chance than of design.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
An extraordinary haste to discharge an obligation is a sort of ingratitude.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Nothing is impossible; there are ways that lead to everything, and if we had sufficient will we should always have sufficient means. It is often merely for an excuse that we say things are impossible.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
attributed, Wisdom for the Soul: Five Millennia of Prescriptions for Spiritual Healing
The love of justice is, in most men, nothing more than the fear of suffering injustice.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Sentences et Maximes Morales
However wicked men may be, they do not dare openly to appear the enemies of virtue, and when they desire to persecute her they either pretend to believe her false or attribute crimes to her.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
The clemency of Princes is often but policy to win the affections of the people.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
A man often imagines that he acts, when he is acted upon.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
We had better appear what we are, than affect to appear what we are not.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Whatever difference may appear in men's fortunes, there is nevertheless a certain compensation of good and ill that makes all equal.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
The surest way to be cheated is to fancy ourselves more cunning than others.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Not all who discharge their debts of gratitude should flatter themselves that they are grateful.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
The art of being able to make a good use of moderate abilities wins esteem and often confers more reputation than real merit.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims