Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld

What seems to be generosity is often no more than disguised ambition, which overlooks a small interest in order to read more

What seems to be generosity is often no more than disguised ambition, which overlooks a small interest in order to secure a great one.

To know how to hide one's ability is great skill.
[Fr., C'est une grande habilete que de savoir cacher read more

To know how to hide one's ability is great skill.
[Fr., C'est une grande habilete que de savoir cacher son
habilete.]

We do not despise all those who have vices, but we despise all
those who have not a single read more

We do not despise all those who have vices, but we despise all
those who have not a single virtue.

The passions are the only orators that always persuade: they
are, as it were, a natural art, the rules read more

The passions are the only orators that always persuade: they
are, as it were, a natural art, the rules of which are
infallible; and the simplest man with passion is more persuasive
than the most eloquent without it.

There are few people who are not ashamed of their love affairs when the infatuation is over.

There are few people who are not ashamed of their love affairs when the infatuation is over.