Francois De La Rochefoucauld

Fortune converts everything to the advantage of her favorites.

What we call generosity is for the most part only the vanity of giving; and we exercise it because we are more fond of that vanity than of the thing we give.

As it is the characteristic of great wits to say much in few words, so small wits seem to have the gift of speaking much and saying nothing.

There are but very few men clever enough to know all the mischief they do.

The accent of one's birthplace remains in the mind and in the heart as in one's speech.

Only the contemptible fear contempt.

There are very few people who are not ashamed of having been in love when they no longer love each other.

Moderation is the feebleness and sloth of the soul, whereas ambition is the warmth and activity of it.

What is called generosity is usually only the vanity of giving; we enjoy the vanity more than the thing given.

The desire to seem clever often keeps us from being so.

Perfect courage is to do without witnesses what one would be capable of doing with the world looking on.

We come altogether fresh and raw into the several stages of life, and often find ourselves without experience, despite our years.

To achieve greatness one should live as if they will never die.

The mind cannot long play the heart's role.

In the misfortunes of our best friends we always find something not altogether displeasing to us.

Some accidents there are in life that a little folly is necessary to help us out of.

They that apply themselves to trifling matters commonly become incapable of great ones.

Weakness of character is the only defect which cannot be amended.

Everyone complains of his memory, and nobody complains of his judgment.

When a man is in love, he doubts, very often, what he most firmly believes.

Silence is the safest course for any man to adopt who distrust himself.