The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
Many men are contemptuous of riches; few can give them away.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True generosity is rare; while many may disdain wealth, few actually practice selflessness by sharing it.
This quote suggests that while it is common for people to criticize or look down upon those who are wealthy, very few possess the ability or willingness to part with their riches. It highlights a paradox of human nature, emphasizing that true generosity is not just about what one has, but about what one is willing to give up for others' benefit.
Themes
WealthGenerositySelflessnessRichesGiving
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about philanthropy, one might say, 'As Francois De La Rochefoucauld wisely stated, many men are contemptuous of riches; few can give them away.'
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
The experienced writer says to the anguished novice: 'Just do it; get something, anything, on to the screen or page, just establish a flow of words, and criticise them later.' You give this advice but can't always take it.
Hilary MantelRead
Be honest with yourself. The world is not honest with you. The world loves hypocrisy. When you are honest with yourself you find the road to inner peace.
Paramahansa YoganandaRead
History, mythology, and folktales are filled with stories of people punished for saying the truth. Only the Fool, exempt from society's rules, is allowed to speak with complete freedom.
Jane HirshfieldRead
The most powerful way to manifest is through subtle intention and choiceless awareness-inten d to let go and flow.
Deepak ChopraRead
A Stoic is someone who transforms fear into prudence, pain into transformation, mistakes into initiation, and desire into undertaking.
Nassim Nicholas TalebRead
Meditation is one of the rare occasions when we're not doing anything. _x000D_ _x000D_ Otherwise, we're always doing something, we're always thinking something, we're always occupied. _x000D_ _x000D_ We get lost in millions of obsessions and fixations. _x000D_ _x000D_ But by meditating-by not doing anything-_x000D_ _x000D_ all these fixations are revealed and our obsessions will naturally undo themselves like a snake uncoiling itself.
Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse RinpocheRead