What is called generosity is usually only the vanity of giving; we enjoy the vanity more than the thing given.

Quote by Francois De La Rochefoucauld

Topics: Francois De La Rochefoucauld Quotes

We pardon to the extent that we love.

We pardon to the extent that we love.

If there be a love pure and free from the admixture of our other passions,...

If there be a love pure and free from the admixture of our other passions,...

When a man must force himself to be faithful in his love, this is hardly...

When a man must force himself to be faithful in his love, this is hardly...

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...

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...

The more one loves a mistress, the more one is ready to hate her.

The more one loves a mistress, the more one is ready to hate her.

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

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

Usually we praise only to be praised.

Usually we praise only to be praised.

Not all those who know their minds know their hearts as well.

Not all those who know their minds know their hearts as well.

Nothing is so contagious as example; and we never do any great good or evil...

Nothing is so contagious as example; and we never do any great good or evil...

No man deserves to be praised for his goodness, who has it not in his...

No man deserves to be praised for his goodness, who has it not in his...

We seldom find people ungrateful so long as it is thought we can serve them.

We seldom find people ungrateful so long as it is thought we can serve them.

We would rather speak ill of ourselves than not talk about ourselves at all.

We would rather speak ill of ourselves than not talk about ourselves at all.

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.

We would frequently be ashamed of our good deeds if people saw all of the...

We would frequently be ashamed of our good deeds if people saw all of the...

A true friend is the greatest of all blessings, and that which we take the...

A true friend is the greatest of all blessings, and that which we take the...

We easily forgive our friends those faults that do no affect us ourselves.

We easily forgive our friends those faults that do no affect us ourselves.

The only thing that should surprise us is that there are still some things that...

The only thing that should surprise us is that there are still some things that...

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...

As one grows older, one becomes wiser and more foolish.

As one grows older, one becomes wiser and more foolish.