François de La Rochefoucauld Quotes

Almost always we are bored by people to whom we ourselves are boring.

Imagination could never invent the number of different contradictions that exist innately in each person's heart.

We commonly praise the good hearts of those who admire us.

C'est une grande folie de vouloir être sage tout seul.

L'absence diminue les médiocres passions, et augmente les grandes, comme le vent éteint les bougies, et allume le feu.

Those faults are always pardonable that we have the courage to avow.

True love is like ghosts which many believe in, but few have seen.

Few things are impracticable in themselves; and it is for want of application, rather than
means, that men fail of success.

Il y a des crimes qui deviennent innocents et même glorieux par leur éclat, leur nombre et leur excès. De là vient que les voleries publiques sont des habiletés, et que prendre des provinces injustement s’appelle faire des conquêtes.

Chance makes us known to others and to ourselves.

El apego o la indiferencia de los filósofos a la vida no es mas que una complacencia de su amor propio; de que debemos disputar tanto como del gusto del paladar, o de la elección de los colores.

Il y a des gens qui n'auraient jamais été amoureux s'ils n'avaint jamais entendu parler de l'amour.

The desire to be pitied or to be admired often forms the greater part of our confidence.

There is a certain dignity of manner independent of fortune, a certain distinctive air which seems to mark us out for great things. It is a value we set upon ourselves without realizing it, and by means of this quality we claim other men’s deference as our due. This does more to set us above them than birth, honors, and merit itself.

Le bien que nous avons reçu de quelqu'un veut que nous respections le mal qu’il nous fait.