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

Quote by Francois De La Rochefoucauld

Topics: Francois De La Rochefoucauld Quotes

Perfect valour consists in doing without witnesses that which we would be capable of doing...

Perfect valour consists in doing without witnesses that which we would be capable of doing...

The accent of one's birthplace remains in the mind and in the heart as in...

The accent of one's birthplace remains in the mind and in the heart as in...

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...

Before we set our hearts too much upon anything, let us examine how happy they...

Before we set our hearts too much upon anything, let us examine how happy they...

There is only one kind of love, but there are a thousand imitations.

There is only one kind of love, but there are a thousand imitations.

Being a blockhead is sometimes the best security against being cheated by a man of...

Being a blockhead is sometimes the best security against being cheated by a man of...

The virtues and vices are all put in motion by interest.

The virtues and vices are all put in motion by interest.

We are very far from always knowing our own wishes.

We are very far from always knowing our own wishes.

It is with an old love as it is with old age a man lives...

It is with an old love as it is with old age a man lives...

We confess our little faults to persuade people that we have no large ones.

We confess our little faults to persuade people that we have no large ones.

The desire to seem clever often keeps us from being so.

The desire to seem clever often keeps us from being so.

Politeness is a desire to be treated politely, and to be esteemed polite oneself.

Politeness is a desire to be treated politely, and to be esteemed polite oneself.

Ridicule dishonors a man more than dishonor does.

Ridicule dishonors a man more than dishonor does.

We should often feel ashamed of our best actions if the world could see all...

We should often feel ashamed of our best actions if the world could see all...

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...

Conceit causes more conversation than wit.

Conceit causes more conversation than wit.

There are very few things impossible in themselves; and we do not want means to...

There are very few things impossible in themselves; and we do not want means to...

They that apply themselves to trifling matters commonly become incapable of great ones.

They that apply themselves to trifling matters commonly become incapable of great ones.

The force we use on ourselves, to prevent ourselves from loving, is often more cruel...

The force we use on ourselves, to prevent ourselves from loving, is often more cruel...

Whatever good things people say of us, they tell us nothing new.

Whatever good things people say of us, they tell us nothing new.