Self-love increases or diminishes for us the good qualities of our friends, — François de La Rochefoucauld
When our vices desert us, we flatter ourselves that we are deserting our vices. — François de La Rochefoucauld
Absence cools moderate passions, and inflames violent ones; just as the wind — François de La Rochefoucauld
The world more often rewards the appearances of merit than merit itself. — François de La Rochefoucauld
There are women who never had an intrigue; but there are scarce any who never had but one. — François de La Rochefoucauld
We bear, all of us, the misfortunes of other people with heroic constancy. — François de La Rochefoucauld
Fortune never seems so blind to any as to those on whom she bestows no favors. — François de La Rochefoucauld
A woman often thinks she regrets the lover, when she only regrets the love. — François de La Rochefoucauld
Some people displease with merit, and others’ very faults and defects are pleasing. — François de La Rochefoucauld
Passion often renders the most clever man a fool, and sometimes renders — François de La Rochefoucauld
We torment ourselves rather to make it appear that we are happy than to become so. — François de La Rochefoucauld
There may be talent without position, but there is no position without — François de La Rochefoucauld
If you cannot find peace in yourself, it is useless to look for it elsewhere. — François de La Rochefoucauld
Our own distrust gives a fair pretence for the knavery of other people. — François de La Rochefoucauld
A man is sometimes better off deceived about the one he loves, than undeceived. — François de La Rochefoucauld