FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD QUOTES II

French author (1613-1680)

Everyone takes pleasure in returning small obligations, many people acknowledge moderate ones; but there are only a scarce few who do not pay great ones with ingratitude.

FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

Moral Maxims

Tags: ingratitude


We always love those who admire us, and we do not always love those whom we admire.

FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

Maxims

Tags: admiration


That conduct often seems ridiculous the secret reasons of which are wise and solid.

FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

Moral Maxims


'Tis much easier to suppress a first desire, than to satisfy all those that follow it.

FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

Moral Maxims

Tags: desire


If vanity does not overthrow all virtues, at least she makes them totter.

FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims

Tags: vanity


Kings make men as they do pieces of money; they put what value they please on them, and we are compelled to receive them according to the value put on them, and not according to their true worth.

LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

attributed, Day's Collacon

Tags: value


There are few virtuous women who are not tired of their part.

FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims


The most violent passions have their intermissions; vanity alone gives us no respite.

LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

attributed, Day's Collacon

Tags: vanity


We easily forget crimes that are known to none but ourselves.

FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

Moral Maxims

Tags: crime


The art of using moderate abilities to advantage wins praise, and often acquires more reputation than actual brilliancy.

FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims


Ordinary men commonly condemn what is beyond them.

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


Propriety is the least of all laws, but the most obeyed.

FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims


Only great men have great faults.

FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

Moral Maxims

Tags: faults


It is pointless for a woman to be young unless pretty, or to be pretty unless young.

FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims

Tags: women


The world oftener rewards the appearance of merit than merit itself.

FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims

Tags: merit


We promise according to our hopes, and perform according to our fears.

FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

Maxims

Tags: promises


Civility is a desire to receive civilities, and to be accounted well-bred.

FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

Moral Maxims


Men sometimes think they hate flattery, but they hate only the manner of flattering.

FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

Moral Maxims


Nothing is so catching as example.

FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

Moral Maxims

Tags: example