1
We promise according to our hopes and perform according to our fears.La Rochefoucauld
2
Absence diminishes little passions and increases great ones just as the wind blows out a candle and fans a fire.La Rochefoucauld
3
We always love those who admire us and we do not always love those whom we admire.La Rochefoucauld
4
Old men are fond of giving good advice to console themselves for being no longer in a position to give bad examples.La Rochefoucauld
5
We give advice but we do not inspire conduct.La Rochefoucauld
6
Few people know how to be old.La Rochefoucauld
7
Quarrels would not last long if the fault was only on one side.La Rochefoucauld
8
How is it that we remember the least triviality that happens to us and yet not remember how often we have recounted it to the same person?La Rochefoucauld
9
We often forgive those who bore us but can't forgive those whom we bore.La Rochefoucauld
10
True bravery is shown by performing without witness what one might be capable of doing before all the world.La Rochefoucauld
11
Moderation is an ostentatious proof of our strength of character.La Rochefoucauld
12
The confidence which we have in ourselves gives birth to much of that which we have in others.La Rochefoucauld
13
Conceit causes more conversation than wit.La Rochefoucauld
14
He who imagines he can do without the world deceives himself much but he who fancies the world cannot do without him is still more mistaken.La Rochefoucauld
15
The reason why lovers are never wary of one another is this - they are always talking of themselves.La Rochefoucauld
16
True eloquence consists in saying all that is necessary and nothing but what is necessary.La Rochefoucauld
17
A fashionable woman is always in love - with herself.La Rochefoucauld
18
He who lives without committing any folly is not so wise as he thinks.La Rochefoucauld
19
He who lives without folly is not as wise as he thinks.La Rochefoucauld
20
It is not enough to succeed a friend must fail.La Rochefoucauld
21
Before we set our hearts too much upon anything let us examine how happy they are who already possess it.La Rochefoucauld
22
No man deserves to be praised for his goodness unless he has the strength of character to be wicked. All other goodness is generally nothing but indolence or impotence of will.La Rochefoucauld
23
Generosity is the vanity of giving.La Rochefoucauld
24
The gratitude of most men is but a secret desire of receiving greater benefits.La Rochefoucauld
25
It is the prerogative of great men only to have great defects.La Rochefoucauld
26
We are never so happy nor so unhappy as we imagine.La Rochefoucauld
27
We are never so happy nor so unhappy as we suppose ourselves to be.La Rochefoucauld
28
The head is always the dupe of the heart.La Rochefoucauld
29
Hope deceitful as it is serves at least to lead us to the end of life along an agreeable road.La Rochefoucauld
30
Hypocrisy is the homage which vice pays to virtue.La Rochefoucauld
31
Hypocrisy is the homage which vice renders to virtue.La Rochefoucauld
32
Of all our faults the one that we excuse most easily is idleness.La Rochefoucauld
33
We are lazier in our minds than in our bodies.La Rochefoucauld
34
Innocence finds not near so much protection as guilt.La Rochefoucauld
35
In jealousy there is more self-love than love.La Rochefoucauld
36
If I advance follow me! If I retreat kill me! If I die avenge me!La Rochefoucauld
37
Before strongly desiring anything we should look carefully into the happiness of its present owner.La Rochefoucauld
38
If we are to judge of love by its consequences it more nearly resembles hatred than friendship.La Rochefoucauld
39
The reason why lovers and their mistresses never tire of being together is that they are always talking of themselves.La Rochefoucauld
40
It is easier to know mankind in general than man individually.La Rochefoucauld
41
Everyone complains of his lack of memory but nobody of his want of judgement.La Rochefoucauld
42
We have all of us sufficient fortitude to bear the misfortunes of others.La Rochefoucauld
43
If we resist our passions it is more due to their weakness than to our strength.La Rochefoucauld
44
Weak people cannot be sincere.La Rochefoucauld
45
A refusal of praise is a desire to be praised twice.La Rochefoucauld
46
Self-love is the greatest of all flatterers.La Rochefoucauld
47
Affected simplicity is refined imposture.La Rochefoucauld
48
Our minds are lazier than our bodies.La Rochefoucauld
49
When our vices leave us we flatter ourselves with the credit of having left them.La Rochefoucauld
50
There are few chaste women who are not tired of their trade.La Rochefoucauld
51
Our virtues are most frequently but vices disguised.La Rochefoucauld
52
We are oftener treacherous through weakness than through calculation.La Rochefoucauld
53
What is perfectly true is perfectly witty.La Rochefoucauld
54
One can find women who have never had a love affair but it is rare indeed to find any who have had only one.La Rochefoucauld
55
True eloquence consists of saying all that should be not all that could be said.La Rochefoucauld