François de La Rochefoucauld Quotes

“Quarrels would not last long if the fault was only on one side.”

“Raillery is more insupportable than wrong; because we have a right to resent injuries, but are ridiculous in being angry at a jest.”

“People are more slanderous from vanity than from malice.”

“We are more often treacherous through weakness than through calculation.”

“We often act treacherously more from weakness than from a fixed motive.”

“Sobriety is love of health, or inability to eat much.”

“Almost everyone takes pleasure in repaying trifling obligations, very many feel gratitude for those that are moderate; but there is scarcely anyone who is not ungrateful for those that are weighty.”

“A true friend is the greatest of all blessings, and that which we take the least care of all to acquire.”

“Bravery in simple soldiers is a dangerous trade, to which they have bound themselves to get their livelihood.”

“Tis a sort of coquetry to boast that we never coquet.”

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

“Sobriety is concern for one's health - or limited capacity.”

“Ridicule dishonors a man more than dishonor does.”

“Those who are themselves incapable of great crimes are ever backward to suspect others.”

“More men are guilty of treason through weakness than any studied design to betray.”

“Οur own distrust somewhat justifies the deceit of others.”

“Constancy in love ... is only inconstancy confined to one object.”

“We are much mistaken if we think that men are always brave from a principle of valor, or women chaste from a principle of modesty.”

“As uncommon a thing as true love is, it is yet easier to find than true friendship.”

“In love deceit almost always outstrips distrust.”

“Decency is the least of all laws, but yet it is the law which is most strictly observed.”

“Those who are incapable of committing great crimes do not readily suspect them in others.”

“Nothing is rarer than real goodness.”

“Nothing ought more to humiliate men who have merited great praise than the care they still take to boast of little things.”

“Consolation for unhappiness can often be found in a certain satisfaction we get from looking unhappy.”