François de La Rochefoucauld may refer to:
The reason why lovers and their mistresses never tire of being together is that they are always talking of themselves. [Fr. , Ce qui fait que amants et les maitresses ne s'ennuient point d'etre ensemble; c'est qu'ils parlent toujours d'eux memes. ]
We often make use of envenomed praise, that reveals on the rebound, as it were, defects in those praised which we dare not exposeany other way.
We have no patience with other people's vanity because it is offensive to our own.
The moderation of people in prosperity is the effect of a smooth and composed temper, owing to the calm of their good fortune.
It is pointless for a woman to be young unless pretty, or to be pretty unless young.
It is a common fault never to be satisfied with our fortune, nor dissatisfied with our understanding.
Eloquence resides as much in the tone of voice, in the eyes, and in the expression of the face, as in the choice of words.
Nothing prevents one from appearing natural as the desire to appear natural.
Reason alone is insufficient to make us enthusiastic in any matter.
If we did not have pride, we would not complain of it in others.
We are never so generous as when giving advice.
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.
The happiness and misery of men depend no less on temper than fortune.
Youth is a perpetual intoxication; it is a fever of the mind.
Customary use of artifice is the sign of a small mind, and it almost always happens that he who uses it to cover one spot uncovers himself in another.
Many people despise wealth, but few know how to give it away.
Our probity is not less at the mercy of fortune than our property.
There are bad people who would be less dangerous if they were quite devoid of goodness.
Hypocrisy is an homage that vice renders to virtue.
A wise man thinks it more advantageous not to join the battle than to win.