The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
What makes us so often discontented with those who transact business for us is that they almost always abandon the interest of their friends for the interest of the business, because they wish to have the honor of succeeding in that which they have undertaken.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People often feel dissatisfied with business associates because they prioritize business success over the interests of their friends.
This quote highlights the common frustration individuals experience when their business partners or associates seem to prioritize profit and success over personal relationships and commitments. It reflects the human tendency to become discontented when the pursuit of business interests conflicts with the values of loyalty and friendship, suggesting that the honor of succeeding in business can sometimes overshadow the importance of maintaining genuine relationships based on trust and mutual support.
Themes
DiscontentBusinessRelationshipsTrustSuccess
In practice
Example use cases
During a business conference, I shared the quote to emphasize the importance of maintaining personal connections in professional settings.
More from Francois De La Rochefoucauld
All quotes →Old men delight in giving good advice as a consolation for the fact that they can no longer set bad examples.
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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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