The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
He who imagines he can do without the world deceives himself much; but he who fancies the world cannot do without him is still more mistaken.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the interconnectedness of individuals and the world, suggesting that neither can exist independently of the other.
Francois De La Rochefoucauld's quote reflects on the mutual dependency between individuals and the broader world. It points out that those who believe they can isolate themselves from societal influences are fooling themselves, while those who underestimate their significance in the world are equally mistaken. This highlights the importance of recognizing the relationship between self and society, underscoring that each person plays a crucial role in shaping the world as much as the world influences the individual.
Themes
InterconnectednessSocietySelfDependencyInfluence
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about social responsibility, you might use this quote to illustrate the importance of community.
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.
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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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