What we call generosity is for the most part only the vanity of giving; and we exercise it because we are more fond of that vanity than of the thing we give.

Quote by Francois De La Rochefoucauld

Topics: Francois De La Rochefoucauld Quotes

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...

There is no better proof of a man's being truly good than his desiring to...

There is no better proof of a man's being truly good than his desiring to...

Everyone complains of his memory, and nobody complains of his judgment.

Everyone complains of his memory, and nobody complains of his judgment.

Those who are incapable of committing great crimes do not readily suspect them in others.

Those who are incapable of committing great crimes do not readily suspect them in others.

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,...

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.

We come altogether fresh and raw into the several stages of life, and often find...

We come altogether fresh and raw into the several stages of life, and often find...

Quarrels would not last long if the fault was only on one side.

Quarrels would not last long if the fault was only on one side.

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.

Jealousy springs more from love of self than from love of another.

Jealousy springs more from love of self than from love of another.

It is not enough to have great qualities; We should also have the management of...

It is not enough to have great qualities; We should also have the management of...

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...

Some accidents there are in life that a little folly is necessary to help us...

Some accidents there are in life that a little folly is necessary to help us...

It is a great act of cleverness to be able to conceal one's being clever.

It is a great act of cleverness to be able to conceal one's being clever.

Great souls are not those who have fewer passions and more virtues than others, but...

Great souls are not those who have fewer passions and more virtues than others, but...

We are sometimes as different from ourselves as we are from others.

We are sometimes as different from ourselves as we are from others.

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...

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...

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...

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.