Tag: La Rochefoucauld

The praise we give to new comers into the world arises from the envy we bear to those who are established.

In all professions every one affects a particular look and exterior, in order to appear what he wishes to be thought; so that it may be said the world’s made up of appearances.

Few people know how to be old.

We are never so ridiculous from the habits we have as from those we affect to have.

We give advice, but we do not inspire conduct.

We always love those who admire us, and we do not always love those whom we admire.

We should often be ashamed of our very best actions, if the world only saw the motives which caused them.

Although men flatter themselves with their great actions, they are not so often the result of a great design as of chance.

It is praiseworthy even to attempt a great action.

What makes false reckoning, as regards gratitude, is that the pride of the giver and the receiver cannot agree as to the value of the benefit.

There are no accidents so unfortunate from which skillful men will not draw some advantage, nor so fortunate that foolish men will not turn them to their hurt.

Sometimes there are accidents in our lives the skillful extrication from which demands a little folly.

Absence extinguishes small passions and increases great ones, as the wind will blow out a candle and blow in a fire.

The art of using moderate abilities to advantage wins praise, and often acquires more reputation than actual brilliancy.

Ability wins us the esteem of the true men; luck that of the people.