François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) was a French classical author and moralist. He was the leading exponent of the maxime, a French literary form of epigram that expresses a harsh or paradoxical truth with demonstrated clarity and brevity.
Born in Paris, La Rochefoucauld didn’t receive much formal education; instead, he was a student of human nature. He became a public figure after he joined the army, and then a leading member of the Fronde, a series of disputes between the French nobility and the monarchy of Louis XIV.
Despite all his political activities, La Rochefoucauld is best remembered for his writing. He translated his observances into a collection of cynical epigrams, which he called Réflexions ou Sentences et Maximes Morales (1665.) He published this first edition anonymously, but subsequent editions under his name. He published four more editions of Maximes in his lifetime, eventually writing more than 500 epigrammatic reflections analyzing human conduct, and finding self-interest to be its driving force.
Though he did a considerable amount of writing over the years, La Rochefoucauld published only one other work—a surreptitious edition of Mémoires (1662;) it conveyed wide offense, and he denied its authorship. Besides, about 150 letters have been collected and 19 shorter pieces now known as Réflexions diverses.
La Rochefoucauld was admired by all the great French critics of the 19th century. Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche was influenced by not only his ethics but also his literary style.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Francois de La Rochefoucauld
We should often be ashamed of our finest actions if the world understood all the motives behind them.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Reason
Most people judge others either by the company they keep, or by their fortune.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: People
Gratitude is merely the secret hope of further favors.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Secrets, Gratitude
Youth changes its tastes by the warmth of its blood; age retains its tastes by habit.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Age
Youth is a continual intoxication; it is the fever of reason.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Youth
The defects of the understanding, like those of the face, grow worse as we grow old.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Mind, Understanding
What seems to be generosity is often no more than disguised ambition, which overlooks a small interest in order to secure a great one.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Generosity
People’s personalities, like buildings, have various facades, some pleasant to view, some not.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Personality
It is with true love as it is with ghosts; everyone talks about it, but few have seen it.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Love
There are more defects in temperament than in the mind.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Positive Attitudes, Mindsets, Optimism
However brilliant an action may be, it ought not to pass for great when it is not the result of a great design.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Good Deeds, Deeds, Greatness
Ability wins us the esteem of the true men; luck that of the people.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Ability
We do not despise all those who have vices, but we do despise all those who have not a single virtue.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Virtue, Vice
Before we passionately desire anything which another enjoys, we should examine as to the happiness of its possessor.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Desire
The only security is courage.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Courage
Perfect courage is to do without witnesses what one would be capable of doing with the world looking on.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Bravery, Courage
The most sure way of subjecting yourself to be deceived, is to consider yourself more cunning than others.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Cunning
Whatever ignominy or disgrace we have incurred, it is almost always in our power to reestablish our reputation.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Reputation
Only strong natures can really be sweet ones; those that seem sweet are in general only weak, and may easily turn sour.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Strength
To establish oneself in the world, one has to do all one can to appear established.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
One can find women who have never had one love affair, but it is rare indeed to find any who have had only one.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Relationships
It is not enough to have great qualities, we must also have the management of them.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Love of fame, fear of disgrace, schemes for advancement; desire to make life comfortable and pleasant, and the urge to humiliate others are often at the root of the valor that men hold in such high esteem.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Bravery
The intellect is always fooled by the heart.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Intelligence, Instincts
To achieve greatness one should live as if they will never die.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Greatness & Great Things, Greatness
You are never so easily fooled as when trying to fool someone else.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Deception
Not all those who know their minds know their hearts as well.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: The Mind, Mind
True bravery is shown by performing without witness what one might be capable of doing before all the world.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Courage, Bravery, Brave
To be a great man it is necessary to turn to account all opportunities.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Opportunity, Opportunities
Men give away nothing so liberally as their advice.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Advice
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