There are people we cannot think ill of without proof of their misdeeds, but nobody's misdeeds should ever surprise us. - François de La Rochefoucauld

— The most subtle of our acts is to simulate blindness for snares that we know are set for us. We are never so easily deceived as when trying to deceive.

We always like those who admire us; we do not always like those whom we admire.

La gente no sólo es propensa a olvidar los favores y las injurias, sino que acaban por odiar a quien la favoreció y por olvidar el rencor que sentía por el que la ofendió. El empeño en recompensar el bien y vengarse del mal le parece una servidumbre demasiado onerosa