French author (1613-1680)
Men are more satirical from vanity than from malice.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Maxims
Love is to the soul of him who loves, what the soul is to the body which it animates.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
Of all the violent passions, the one that becomes a woman best is love.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
There is a season for man's merit as well as for fruit.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Maxims
We have no more control over the duration of our passions than we do over the duration of our life.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
We should manage our fortune as our constitution; enjoy it when good, have patience when 'tis bad, and never apply violent remedies but in cases of necessity.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
A gentleman may love like a lunatic, but not like a beast.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
Jealousy is always born with love, but doesn't always die with it.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Sometimes we meet a fool with wit, never one with discretion.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
There are no accidents so unlucky but the prudent may draw some advantage from them.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
We judge so superficially of things, that common words and actions spoke and done in an agreeable manner, with some knowledge of what passes in the world, often succeed beyond the greatest ability.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
'Tis as easy to deceive ourselves without our perceiving it, as 'tis difficult to deceive others without their perceiving it.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Constancy in love ... is only inconstancy confined to one object.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Whatever care we take to conceal our passions under the appearance of piety and honor, they are always to be seen through these veils.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
Nothing is less sincere than the manner of asking and giving advice. He who asks it seems to have a respectful deference for the opinion of his friend; though he only aims at making him approve his own, and be responsible for his conduct. And he who gives it, repays the confidence reposed in him by a seemingly disinterested zeal; though he seldom means anything by the advice he gives but his own interest or reputation.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Fortune turns everything to the advantage of her favorites.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
The rust of business is sometimes polished off in a camp; but never in a court.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
What makes the vanity of others unsupportable is that it wounds our own.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
Cunning and treachery proceed from want of capacity.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Did we not flatter ourselves, the flattery of others could never hurt us.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims