French author (1613-1680)
The surest way to be deceived is to think oneself more clever than others.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Maxims
The height of ability consists in a thorough knowledge of the real value of things, and of the genius of the age we live in.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
The greatest miracle of love is the reformation of a coquette.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
There are certain defects which, well-mounted, glitter like virtue itself.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
We often glory in the most criminal passions; but envy is a shameful passion we never dare own.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Propriety is the least of all laws, but the most obeyed.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
That conduct often seems ridiculous the secret reasons of which are wise and solid.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
We seldom find people ungrateful so long as we are in a condition to render them service.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Maxims and Moral Reflections
It is our own vanity that makes the vanity of others intolerable to us.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Maxims
Our virtues are usually just vices in disguise.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
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
'Tis a sort of coquetry to boast that we never coquet.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
The common practice of cunning is a sign of small genius; and it almost always happens that those who use it to cover themselves in one place, lay themselves open in another.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Madmen and fools see everything through the medium of humor.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
There are some disguised falsehoods so like truths, that 'twould be to judge ill not to be deceived by them.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
To be a great man it is necessary to turn to account all opportunities.
LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
attributed, Day's Collacon
The world oftener rewards the appearance of merit than merit itself.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
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
Reflections
Most women lament not the death of their lovers so much out of real affection for them, as because they would appear worthy of love.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
An extraordinary haste to discharge an obligation is a sort of ingratitude.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims