François de la Rochefoucauld

Absence diminishes commonplace passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and kindles fire.

François de la Rochefoucauld

Few men are sufficiently discerning to appreciate all the evil they do.

François de la Rochefoucauld

Humility is often only a feigned submission of which we make use to render others submissive. It is an artifice of pride which abases in order to exalt itself.

François de la Rochefoucauld

Interest speaks all sorts of tongues, and plays all sorts of parts, even that of disinterestedness.

François de la Rochefoucauld

Neither the sun nor death can be looked at with a steady eye.

François de la Rochefoucauld

Our virtues are most frequently but vices disguised.

François de la Rochefoucauld

Philosophy triumphs easily over past and over future evils, but present evils triumph over philosophy.

François de la Rochefoucauld

Philosophy triumphs easily over past evils and future evils; but present evils triumph over it.

François de la Rochefoucauld

There are few people who would not be ashamed of being loved when they love no longer.

François de la Rochefoucauld

True love is like ghosts, which everybody talks about and few have seen.

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 have all sufficient strength to endure the misfortunes of others.

François de la Rochefoucauld

We need greater virtues to sustain good than evil fortune.

François de la Rochefoucauld