François de La Rochefoucauld Quotes

But, yet acquired qualities should always have a certain agreement and a certain union with our own natural qualities, which they imperceptibly extend and increase.

One passion is often the parent of its antithesis; avarice gives birth to prodigality; prodigality to avarice; we are often firm because weak, or bold because timid.

Moderation is like sobriety: you would like to have some more, but are afraid of making yourself ill.

We have no patience with other people's vanity because it is offensive to our own.

En la adversidad de nuestros mejores amigos siempre encontramos algo que no nos desagrada

We often forgive those who bore us, but we cannot forgive those whom we bore.

Qui vit sans folie n'est pas si sage qu'il croit.

Hay cosas bellas que tienen más brillo cuando permanecen imperfectas que cuando están muy acabadas

Only people with some strength of character can be truly gentle: usually, what seems like gentleness is mere weakness, which readily turns to bitterness.

La jalousie naît toujours avec l'amour, mais elle ne meurt pas toujours avec lui.

A man to whom no one is pleasing is much more unhappy than one who pleases nobody.

We all have strength enough to endure the misfortunes of others.

We should observe the place, the occasion, the temper in which we find the person who listens to us, for if there is much art in speaking to the purpose, there is no less in knowing when to be silent.

Most men, like plants, have hidden characteristics that chance brings to light.

Il n’y a point de déguisement qui puisse longtemps cacher l’amour où il est, ni le feindre où il n’est pas.