No man deserves to be praised for his goodness, who has it not in his power to be wicked. Goodness without that power is generally nothing more than sloth, or an impotence of will.
FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULDWhen a man must force himself to be faithful in his love, this is hardly better than unfaithfulness.
More Francois de La Rochefoucauld Quotes
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If we judge love by most of its effects, it resembles rather hatred than affection.
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Usually we praise only to be praised.
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There are heroes in evil as well as in good.
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That good disposition which boasts of being most tender is often stifled by the least urging of self-interest.
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When we are in love we often doubt that which we most believe.
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The passions are the only orators which always persuade.
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We should often feel ashamed of our best actions if the world could see all the motives which produced them.
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Though nature be ever so generous, yet can she not make a hero alone. Fortune must contribute her part too; and till both concur, the work cannot be perfected.
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The accent of one’s birthplace remains in the mind and in the heart as in one’s speech.
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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.
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The reason why so few people are agreeable in conversation is that each is thinking more about what he intends to say than others are saying.
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We pardon to the extent that we love.
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In friendship as well as love, ignorance very often contributes more to our happiness than knowledge.
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A wise man thinks it more advantageous not to join the battle than to win.
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Perhaps being old is having lighted rooms inside your head, and people in them, acting. People you know, yet can’t quite name.
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