The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
If we had no faults, we would not derive so much pleasure from noting those of other people.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People often find joy in observing the flaws of others, as it highlights their own imperfections.
This quote by Francois De La Rochefoucauld suggests that recognizing the faults in others provides a sense of pleasure and amusement because it offers a comparison to our own shortcomings. It reflects on the human tendency to judge and find humor in the failings of others, indicating that our flaws make us more relatable and provide a source of entertainment in social interactions.
Themes
FaultsPleasureHuman NatureJudgmentImperfection
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about human nature, one might use this quote to highlight the irony in our judgments of others.
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
Similar quotes
Gossip is the art of saying nothing in a way that leaves practically nothing unsaid.
Walter WinchellRead
Ninety-eight per cent of laughter is nothing to do with jokes, which do not deserve to bear the weight of all the funny stuff in the world.
Arthur SmithRead
Black moleskin gloves covered his hands; the right because it was burned, the left because a man felt half a fool wearing only one glove.
George R. R. MartinRead
My roommate says, "I'm going to take a shower and shave. Does anyone need to use the bathroom?" It's like some weird quiz where he reveals the answer first.
Mitch HedbergRead
A tragedy is a tragedy, and at the bottom, all tragedies are stupid. Give me a choice and I'll take A Midsummer Night's Dream over Hamlet every time. Any fool with steady hands and a working set of lungs can build up a house of cards and then blow it down, but it takes a genius to make people laugh.
Stephen KingRead
Nothing annoys people so much as not receiving invitations.
Oscar WildeRead