French author (1613-1680)
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
The world oftener rewards the appearance of merit than merit itself.
FRANCOIS 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 greatest miracle of love is the reformation of a coquette.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
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
An extraordinary haste to discharge an obligation is a sort of ingratitude.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
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
He who imagines he can do without the world deceives himself much; but he who fancies the world can't do without him is yet more mistaken.
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
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
If a man doesn't find ease in himself, 'tis in vain to seek it elsewhere.
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
To be a great man it is necessary to turn to account all opportunities.
LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
attributed, Day's Collacon
A resolution never to deceive exposes a man to be often deceived.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Not to love is in love an infallible means of being loved.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
We can't bear to be deceived by our enemies, and betrayed by our friends; yet are often content to be so served by ourselves.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Madmen and fools see everything through the medium of humor.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims
Ordinary men commonly condemn what is beyond them.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and 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
We often glory in the most criminal passions; but envy is a shameful passion we never dare own.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Maxims