Francois De La Rochefoucauld

The constancy of sages is nothing but the art of locking up their agitation in their hearts.

Most people know no other way of judging men's worth but by the vogue they are in, or the fortunes they have met with.

As one grows older, one becomes wiser and more foolish.

The moderation of people in prosperity is the effect of a smooth and composed temper, owing to the calm of their good fortune.

The world more often rewards the appearances of merit than merit itself.

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.

Love of glory, fear of shame, greed for fortune, the desire to make life agreeable and comfortable, and the wish to depreciate others - all of these are often the causes of the bravery that is spoken so highly of by men.

Timidity is a fault for which it is dangerous to reprove persons whom we wish to correct of it.

Pride does not wish to owe and vanity does not wish to pay.

Why can we remember the tiniest detail that has happened to us, and not remember how many times we have told it to the same person.

We would rather see those to whom we do good, than those who do good to us.

If we had no faults, we would not derive so much pleasure from noting those of other people.

It is as commendable to think well of oneself when alone, as it is ridiculous to speak well of oneself among others.

The temperament that produces a talent for little things is the opposite of that required for great ones.

We would rather speak ill of ourselves than not talk about ourselves at all.

Every one speaks well of his own heart, but no one dares speak well of his own mind.

The person giving the advice returns the confidence placed in him with a disinterested eagerness... and he is usually guided only by his own interest or reputation.

None deserve praise for being good who have not the spirit to be bad: goodness, for the most part, is nothing but indolence or weakness of will.

There is a kind of elevation which does not depend on fortune; it is a certain air which distinguishes us, and seems to destine us for great things; it is a price which we imperceptibly set upon ourselves.

People are more slanderous from vanity than from malice.

No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong.