Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld

Hypocrisy is the homage which vice renders to virtue.
[Fr., L'hypocrisie est un hommage que le vice rend a read more

Hypocrisy is the homage which vice renders to virtue.
[Fr., L'hypocrisie est un hommage que le vice rend a la vertu.]

We would often be ashamed of our finest actions if the world understood all the motives which produced them.

We would often be ashamed of our finest actions if the world understood all the motives which produced them.

Coquetry is the essential characteristic, and the prevalent humor
of women; but they do not all practise it, because read more

Coquetry is the essential characteristic, and the prevalent humor
of women; but they do not all practise it, because the coquetry
of some is restrained by fear or by reason.

Cunning and treachery are the offspring of incapacity.

Cunning and treachery are the offspring of incapacity.

We say little if not egged on by vanity.
[Fr., On parle peu quand la vanite ne fait pas read more

We say little if not egged on by vanity.
[Fr., On parle peu quand la vanite ne fait pas parler.]