French author (1613-1680)
Civility is a desire to receive civilities, and to be accounted well-bred.
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
There are certain defects which, well-mounted, glitter like virtue itself.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral 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
Not all who discharge their debts of gratitude should flatter themselves that they are grateful.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Flattery is a sort of bad money to which our vanity gives currency.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Though most of the friendships of the world ill deserve the name of friendships; yet a man may make use of them on occasion, as of a traffic whose returns are uncertain, and in which 'tis usual to be cheated.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
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
Nothing is so catching as example.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
In all aspects of life, we take on a part and an appearance to seem to be what we wish to be--and thus the world is merely composed of actors.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; Or, Sentences and 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
That man who has never been in danger cannot answer for his courage.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
Our virtues are usually just vices in disguise.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
There are few women whose charm survives their beauty.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
The love of justice is, in most men, nothing more than the fear of suffering injustice.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Sentences et Maximes Morales
A resolution never to deceive exposes a man to be often deceived.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
A man often imagines that he acts, when he is acted upon.
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
We had better appear what we are, than affect to appear what we are not.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Self-love is the greatest of flatterers.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims