There is a kind of elevation which does not depend on fortune; it is a certain air which distinguishes us, and seems to destine us for great things; it is a price which we imperceptibly set upon ourselves.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULDBefore we set our hearts too much upon anything, let us examine how happy they are, who already possess it.
More Francois de La Rochefoucauld Quotes
-
-
There are various sorts of curiosity; one is from interest, which makes us desire to know that which may be useful to us; and the other, from pride which comes from the wish to know what others are ignorant of.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
We are easily comforted for the misfortunes of our friends, when those misfortunes give us an occasion of expressing our affection and solicitude.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
Why can we remember the tiniest detail that has happened to us, and not remember how many times we have told it to the same person.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
Absence diminishes mediocre passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and fans fires.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
The defects of the mind, like those of the face, grow worse with age.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
In the misfortunes of our best friends we always find something not altogether displeasing to us.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
Never give anyone the advice to buy or sell shares, because the most benevolent price of advice can turn out badly.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
All the passions make us commit faults; love makes us commit the most ridiculous ones.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
As one grows older, one becomes wiser and more foolish.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
In most of mankind gratitude is merely a secret hope of further favors.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
Pride, which inspires us with so much envy, is sometimes of use toward the moderating of it too.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
If we did not flatter ourselves, the flattery of others could never harm us.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
Timidity is a fault for which it is dangerous to reprove persons whom we wish to correct of it.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
The happiness and misery of men depend no less on temper than fortune.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
Why is it that our memory is good enough to retain the least triviality that happens to us, and yet not good enough to recollect how often we have told it to the same person?
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
Philosophy finds it an easy matter to vanquish past and future evils, but the present are commonly too hard for it.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
It is easier to be wise for others than for ourselves.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
Mediocre minds usually dismiss anything which reaches beyond their own understanding.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
The one thing people are the most liberal with, is their advice.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
Though men are apt to flatter and exalt themselves with their great achievements, yet these are, in truth, very often owing not so much to design as chance.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
What is called generosity is usually only the vanity of giving; we enjoy the vanity more than the thing given.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
The intellect is always fooled by the heart.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
The word virtue is as useful to self-interest as the vices.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
In sum, simply a business from which those involved propose to derive a steady profit for their own self-love.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD -
Pride does not wish to owe and vanity does not wish to pay.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD