Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Francois de La Rochefoucauld (French Writer)

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

The most brilliant fortunes are often not worth the littleness required to gain them.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Wealth

The labor of the body relieves us from the fatigues of the mind; and this it is which forms the happiness of the poor.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Work, Labor

Not all those who know their minds know their hearts as well.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Mind, The Mind

We often do good in order that we may do evil with impunity.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Evil

We are never so happy nor so unhappy as we imagine.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: One liners, Happiness, Unhappiness

We can never be certain of our courage until we have faced danger.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Bravery, Courage, Virtues

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 happiness or unhappiness of men depends as much on their humors as on fortune.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Humor

What causes us to like new acquaintances is not so much weariness of our old ones, or the pleasure of change, as disgust at not being sufficiently admired by those who know us too well, and the hope of being admired more by those who do not know so much about us.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Friendship

Sometimes we lose friends for whose loss our regret is greater than our grief, and others for whom our grief is greater than our regret.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Disappointment, Regret, Remorse

We are often vain of even the most criminal of our passions; but envy is so shameful a passion that we never dare to acknowledge it.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Envy

A person well satisfied with themselves is seldom satisfied with others, and others, rarely are with them.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: People

The constancy of sages is nothing but the art of locking up their agitation in their hearts.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Wisdom, Self-Control

The most sure way of subjecting yourself to be deceived, is to consider yourself more cunning than others.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Cunning

Jealousy lives upon doubts.—It becomes madness or ceases entirely as soon as we pass from doubt to certainty.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Jealousy, Doubt

Youth changes its inclinations through heat of blood; old age perseveres in them through the power of habit.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Youth

To be deceived by our enemies or betrayed by our friends is insupportable; yet by ourselves we are often content to be so treated.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Passion often makes fools of the ablest men, and able men of the mow foolish.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Passion

Those who are themselves incapable of great crimes, are ever backward to suspect others.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Crime

Old age is a tyrant, who forbids, under pain of death, the pleasures of youth.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Age

We only confess our little faults to persuade people that we have no big ones.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Honesty

Jealousy is bred in doubts. When those doubts change into certainties, then the passion either ceases or turns absolute madness.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld

The strongest symptom of wisdom in man is his being sensible of his own follies.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Wisdom

Chance corrects us of many faults that reason would not know how to correct.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Luck, Chance

The confidence we have in ourselves arises in a great measure from that which we have in others.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Self-Esteem, Optimism, Positive Attitudes, Assurance, Health, Confidence, Self Respect

There are different kinds of curiosity; one of interest, which causes us to learn that which would be useful to us; and the other of pride, which springs from a desire to know that of which others are ignorant.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Curiosity

Nothing is less sincere than our mode of asking and giving advice. He who asks seems to have deference for the opinion of his friend, while he only aims to get approval of his own and make his friend responsible for his action. And he who gives repays the confidence supposed to be placed in him by a seemingly disinterested zeal, while he seldom means anything by his advice but his own interest or reputation.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Advice

When the heart is still agitated by the remains of a passion, we are more ready to receive a new one than when we are entirely cured.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Love

As one grows older, one becomes wiser and more foolish.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Age, Aging

What makes lovers never tire of one another is that they talk always about themselves.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Love, Lovers

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