A great many men's gratitude is nothing but a secret desire to hook in more valuable kindnesses hereafter.

Quote by Francois De La Rochefoucauld

Topics: Francois De La Rochefoucauld Quotes

However greatly we distrust the sincerity of those we converse with, yet still we think...

However greatly we distrust the sincerity of those we converse with, yet still we think...

Old men are fond of giving good advice to console themselves for their inability to...

Old men are fond of giving good advice to console themselves for their inability to...

There are a great many men valued in society who have nothing to recommend them...

There are a great many men valued in society who have nothing to recommend them...

Some people displease with merit, and others' very faults and defects are pleasing.

Some people displease with merit, and others' very faults and defects are pleasing.

We often pardon those that annoy us, but we cannot pardon those we annoy.

We often pardon those that annoy us, but we cannot pardon those we annoy.

What makes the pain we feel from shame and jealousy so cutting is that vanity...

What makes the pain we feel from shame and jealousy so cutting is that vanity...

Pride does not wish to owe and vanity does not wish to pay.

Pride does not wish to owe and vanity does not wish to pay.

Silence is the safest course for any man to adopt who distrust himself.

Silence is the safest course for any man to adopt who distrust himself.

Virtue would go far if vanity did not keep it company.

Virtue would go far if vanity did not keep it company.

There are crimes which become innocent and even glorious through their splendor, number and excess.

There are crimes which become innocent and even glorious through their splendor, number and excess.

What keeps us from abandoning ourselves entirely to one vice, often, is the fact that...

What keeps us from abandoning ourselves entirely to one vice, often, is the fact that...

Our virtues are often, in reality, no better than vices disguised.

Our virtues are often, in reality, no better than vices disguised.

The desire of talking of ourselves, and showing those faults we do not mind having...

The desire of talking of ourselves, and showing those faults we do not mind having...

We are so used to dissembling with others that in time we come to deceive...

We are so used to dissembling with others that in time we come to deceive...

Innocence does not find near so much protection as guilt.

Innocence does not find near so much protection as guilt.

In the human heart new passions are forever being born; the overthrow of one almost...

In the human heart new passions are forever being born; the overthrow of one almost...

There are bad people who would be less dangerous if they were quite devoid of...

There are bad people who would be less dangerous if they were quite devoid of...

How is it that we remember the least triviality that happens to us, and yet...

How is it that we remember the least triviality that happens to us, and yet...

Hope, deceiving as it is, serves at least to lead us to the end of...

Hope, deceiving as it is, serves at least to lead us to the end of...

The greatest part of intimate confidences proceed from a desire either to be pitied or...

The greatest part of intimate confidences proceed from a desire either to be pitied or...