Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld

There is merit without elevation, but there is no elevation
without some merit.
[Fr., Il y a du read more

There is merit without elevation, but there is no elevation
without some merit.
[Fr., Il y a du merite sans elevation mais il n'y a point
d'elevation sans quelque merite.]

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a
man's character, give him power.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a
man's character, give him power.

It is the prerogative of great men only to have great defects.
[Fr., Il n'appartient qu'aux grands hommes d'avoir read more

It is the prerogative of great men only to have great defects.
[Fr., Il n'appartient qu'aux grands hommes d'avoir de grands
defauts.]

True love is like ghosts, which everybody talks about and few have seen.

True love is like ghosts, which everybody talks about and few have seen.

Men are more satirical from vanity than from malice.

Men are more satirical from vanity than from malice.