Quotes from La Rochefoucauld

Hope deceitful as it is serves at least to lead us to the end of life along an agreeable road.

In jealousy there is more self-love than love.

If I advance follow me! If I retreat kill me! If I die avenge me!

The reason why lovers and their mistresses never tire of being together is that they are always talking of themselves.

Absence diminishes little passions and increases great ones just as the wind blows out a candle and fans a fire.

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

We give advice, but we do not inspire conduct.

Few people know how to be old.

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

True bravery is shown by performing without witness what one might be capable of doing before all the world.

Moderation is an ostentatious proof of our strength of character.

Conceit causes more conversation than wit.

He who imagines he can do without the world deceives himself much; but he who fancies the world cannot do without him is still more mistaken.

The reason why lovers are never wary of one another is this - they are always talking of themselves.

True eloquence consists in saying all that is necessary, and nothing but what is necessary.

A fashionable woman is always in love - with herself.

He who lives without committing any folly is not so wise as he thinks.

He who lives without folly is not as wise as he thinks.

It is not enough to succeed, a friend must fail.

No man deserves to be praised for his goodness unless he has the strength of character to be wicked. All other goodness is generally nothing but indolence or impotence of will.

Generosity is the vanity of giving.

There are bad people who would be less dangerous if they were quite devoid of goodness.

It is the prerogative of great men only to have great defects.

The head is always the dupe of the heart.