The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
We may sooner be brought to love them that hate us, than them that love us more than we would have them do.
Interpretation
What this quote means
It's easier to develop feelings for those who dislike us than to respond to those who love us more than we expect.
This quote suggests that human emotions are complex. It implies that we often feel more compelled to connect with those who challenge us or oppose us rather than fully appreciating the love and affection offered by those close to us. It speaks to the paradox of human relationships, where we may take love for granted while being intrigued by animosity or discontent.
Themes
RelationshipsLoveHateEmotionHuman Nature
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about complex relationships, this quote can illustrate the strange dynamics between love and hate.
More from Francois De La Rochefoucauld
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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.
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