Francois de La Rochefoucauld Quotes

Never give anyone the advice to buy or sell shares, because the most benevolent price of advice can turn out badly.

What is called generosity is usually only the vanity of giving; we enjoy the vanity more than the thing given.

There are very few things impossible in themselves; and we do not want means to conquer difficulties so much as application and resolution in the use of means.

Few things are impracticable in themselves; and it is for want of application, rather than of means, that men fail to succeed.

However greatly we distrust the sincerity of those we converse with, yet still we think they tell more truth to us than to anyone else.

It is great folly to wish to be wise all alone.

If we did not flatter ourselves, the flattery of others could never harm us.

The accent of a man’s native country remains in his mind and his heart, as it does in his speech.

A wise man thinks it more advantageous not to join the battle than to win.

In most of mankind gratitude is merely a secret hope of further favors.