The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
The constancy of sages is nothing but the art of locking up their agitation in their hearts.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Sages maintain their calm by concealing their inner turmoil.
This quote from Francois De La Rochefoucauld suggests that truly wise individuals possess the ability to control their emotional upheavals and maintain a composed exterior. It highlights the idea that wisdom often involves an inner struggle that is not visible to others, emphasizing the importance of emotional regulation and self-mastery as essential aspects of wisdom.
Themes
WisdomCalmEmotionsSelf-ControlInner Peace
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about leadership, to emphasize the importance of remaining calm under pressure.
More from Francois De La Rochefoucauld
All quotes βOld men delight in giving good advice as a consolation for the fact that they can no longer set bad examples.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
The defects and faults of the mind are like wounds in the body; after all imaginable care has been taken to heal them up, still there will be a scar left behind, and they are in continual danger of breaking the skin and bursting out again.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
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