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

If we had no faults of our own, we should not take so much pleasure...

If we had no faults of our own, we should not take so much pleasure...

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.

What men have called friendship is only a social arrangement, a mutual adjustment of interests,...

What men have called friendship is only a social arrangement, a mutual adjustment of interests,...

What men have called friendship is only a social arrangement, a mutual adjustment of interests,...

What men have called friendship is only a social arrangement, a mutual adjustment of interests,...

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

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

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...

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 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.

It's the height of folly to want to be the only wise one.

It's the height of folly to want to be the only wise one.

We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others that in the end we become...

We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others that in the end we become...

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...

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.

Few people have the wisdom to prefer the criticism that would do them good, to...

Few people have the wisdom to prefer the criticism that would do them good, to...

In love we often doubt what we most believe.

In love we often doubt what we most believe.

The name and pretense of virtue is as serviceable to self-interest as are real vices.

The name and pretense of virtue is as serviceable to self-interest as are real vices.

The word virtue is as useful to self-interest as the vices.

The word virtue is as useful to self-interest as the vices.

What we call generosity is for the most part only the vanity of giving; and...

What we call generosity is for the most part only the vanity of giving; and...

It is from a weakness and smallness of mind that men are opinionated; and we...

It is from a weakness and smallness of mind that men are opinionated; and we...

We are strong enough to bear the misfortunes of others.

We are strong enough to bear the misfortunes of others.