Few men are sufficiently discerning to appreciate all the evil they do.
François de la Rochefoucauld
Hypocrisy is the homage that vice pays to virtue. Maxim 128
François de la Rochefoucauld
Interest speaks all sorts of tongues, and plays all sorts of parts, even that of disinterestedness. Maxim 39
François de la Rochefoucauld
Neither the sun nor death can be looked at with a steady eye. Maxim 26
François de la Rochefoucauld
Our virtues are most frequently but vices disguised. Maxim 19
François de la Rochefoucauld
Philosophy triumphs easily over past evils and future evils; but present evils triumph over it. Maxim 22
François de la Rochefoucauld
There are few people who would not be ashamed of being loved when they love no longer. Maxim 71
François de la Rochefoucauld
True love is like ghosts, which everybody talks about and few have seen. Maxim 76
François de la Rochefoucauld
Virtue would not make such advances if there were not a little vanity to keep it company.
François de la Rochefoucauld
We are never so happy or so unhappy as we suppose. Maxim 49
François de la Rochefoucauld
We have all sufficient strength to endure the misfortunes of others. Maxim 19
François de la Rochefoucauld
We need greater virtues to sustain good than evil fortune. Maxim 25
François de la Rochefoucauld