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 sometimes imagine we hate flattery, but we only hate the way we are flattered.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Flattery
Those who are incapable of committing great crimes do not readily suspect them in others.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Innocence
There is such a thing as a general revolution which changes the taste of men as it changes the fortunes of the world.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Change
It is far easier to know men than to know man.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Men
We find means to cure folly, but none to reclaim a distorted mind.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Mind
Of all our faults, that which we most readily admit is indolence.—We persuade ourselves that it cherishes all the peaceful virtues, and that without destroying the others it merely suspends their functions.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
What we call liberality is often but the vanity of giving; we are more fond of the ostentation than of the generosity of the act.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Men give away nothing so liberally as advice.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Advice
Jealousy feeds upon suspicion, and it turns into fury or it ends as soon as we pass from suspicion to certainty
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Jealousy
Everyone complains of the badness of his memory, but nobody of his judgment.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Judgment, Judges, Judging
The strongest symptom of wisdom in man is his being sensible of his own follies.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Wisdom
Few things are impracticable in themselves; and it is for want of application, rather than of means, that men fail of success.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Failure, Persistence, Attention, Perseverance, Success
Hope and fear are inseparable.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Hope
Nothing is impossible; there are ways that lead to everything, and if we had sufficient will we should always have sufficient means. It is often merely for an excuse that we say things are impossible.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Potential, Desires, Possibilities, Desire
Nothing is so contagious as an example. We never do great good or evil without bringing about more of the same on the part of others.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Example
Friendship is only a reciprocal conciliation of interests.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Friendship
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: Greatness, Good Deeds, Deeds
We confess small faults, in order to insinuate that we have no great ones.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Faults
We pardon as long as we love.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Forgiveness
Old age is a tyrant, which forbids the pleasures of youth on pain of death.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Age, Pleasure
We come altogether fresh and raw into the several stages of life, and often find ourselves without experience, despite our years.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Fresh
I always say to myself, what is the most important thing we can think about at this extraordinary moment.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: The Present
Esteem has more engaging charms than friendship and even love.—It captivates hearts better, and never makes ingrates.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Respect
Philosophy easily triumphs over past and future ills; but present ills triumph over philosophy.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Philosophy
We often boast that we are never bored; but we are so conceited that we do not perceive how often we bore others.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Egotism
The world more frequently recompenses the appearance of merit, than merit itself.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Merit
Vanity makes us do more things against inclination than reason.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Vanity
It is a mistake to imagine, that the violent passions only, such as ambition and love, can triumph over the rest. Idleness, languid as it is, often masters them all; she influences all our designs and actions, and insensibly consumes and destroys both passions and virtues.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Idleness
Were we to take as much pains to be what we ought, as we do to disguise what we are, we might appear like ourselves without being at the trouble of any disguise at all.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Deceit
Hypocrisy is homage paid by vice to virtue.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Hypocrisy
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Jean de La Bruyere French Author
Alexandre Dumas pere French Novelist, Playwright
Antoine de Saint-Exupery French Novelist, Aviator
Francois-Rene de Chateaubriand French Writer, Statesman
Antoine Arnauld French Theologian
Rene Descartes French Mathematician, Philosopher
Michel de Montaigne French Essayist
Marguerite Duras French Novelist, Playwright
Andre Maurois French Novelist, Biographer
Edgar Quinet French Intellectual