The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
We only confess our little faults to persuade people that we have no big ones.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People often reveal minor flaws to distract from their more significant issues.
This quote highlights the psychological tendency of individuals to admit to smaller, less significant weaknesses in order to create an impression of honesty, while diverting attention away from deeper, more serious imperfections. It suggests a self-preserving strategy in social interactions where the admission of minor faults is used as a method of manipulation to gain trust or acceptance, despite larger issues being concealed.
Themes
ConfessionFaultsHonestyDeceptionPsychology
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about honesty and authenticity in relationships.
More from Francois De La Rochefoucauld
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Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them.
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Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
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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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