Quotes from La Rochefoucauld

Hypocrisy is the homage which vice pays to virtue.

Hypocrisy is the homage which vice renders to virtue.

Of all our faults, the one that we excuse most easily is idleness.

We are lazier in our minds than in our bodies.

Innocence finds not near so much protection as guilt.

The intellect is always fooled by the heart.

We are never so happy nor so unhappy as we imagine.

It is easier to know mankind in general than man individually.

How is it that we remember the least triviality that happens to us, and yet not remember how often we have recounted it to the same person?

Everyone complains of his lack of memory, but nobody of his want of judgement.

We have all of us sufficient fortitude to bear the misfortunes of others.

If we resist our passions, it is more due to their weakness than to our strength.

Weak people cannot be sincere.

If we have not peace within ourselves, it is in vain to seek it from outward sources.

A refusal of praise is a desire to be praised twice.

Affected simplicity is refined imposture.

When our vices leave us, we flatter ourselves with the credit of having left them.

There are few chaste women who are not tired of their trade.

Our virtues are most frequently but vices disguised.

We are oftener treacherous through weakness than through calculation.

True eloquence consists of saying all that should be, not all that could be, said.

Passion often renders the most clever man a fool, and sometimes renders the most foolish man clever.

Those who are incapable of great crimes don't readily suspect others of them.

Women in love sooner forgive great indiscretions than small infidelities.