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

Quote by Francois De La Rochefoucauld

Topics: Francois De La Rochefoucauld Quotes

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...

Usually we praise only to be praised.

Usually we praise only to be praised.

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

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

Chance corrects us of many faults that reason would not know how to correct.

Chance corrects us of many faults that reason would not know how to correct.

Though men are apt to flatter and exalt themselves with their great achievements, yet these...

Though men are apt to flatter and exalt themselves with their great achievements, yet these...

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.

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...

To achieve greatness one should live as if they will never die.

To achieve greatness one should live as if they will never die.

Those that have had great passions esteem themselves for the rest of their lives fortunate...

Those that have had great passions esteem themselves for the rest of their lives fortunate...

Our aversion to lying is commonly a secret ambition to make what we say considerable,...

Our aversion to lying is commonly a secret ambition to make what we say considerable,...

Idiots and lunatics see only their own wit.

Idiots and lunatics see only their own wit.

The sure way to be cheated is to think one's self more cunning than others.

The sure way to be cheated is to think one's self more cunning than others.

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...

We say little, when vanity does not make us speak.

We say little, when vanity does not make us speak.

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...

We get so much in the habit of wearing disguises before others that we finally...

We get so much in the habit of wearing disguises before others that we finally...

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 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...

You can find women who have never had an affair, but it is hard to...

You can find women who have never had an affair, but it is hard to...

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

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