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The only thing that should surprise us is that there are still some things that can surprise us.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
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Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Age: 66 †
Born: 1613
Born: September 15
Died: 1680
Died: March 17
Memoirist
Military Personnel
Writer
Paris
France
François VI
Duc de La Rochefoucauld
Prince de Marcillac
François
Duc de La Rochefoucauld
Surprise
Stills
Still
Thing
Things
More quotes by Francois de La Rochefoucauld
We love much better those who endeavor to imitate us, than those who strive to equal us. For imitation is a sign of esteem, but competition of envy.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
The passions do very often give birth to others of a nature most contrary to their own. Thus avarice sometimes brings forth prodigality, and prodigality avarice a man's resolution is very often the effect of levity, and his boldness that of cowardice and fear.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
What men have called friendship is only a social arrangement, a mutual adjustment of interests, an interchange of services given and received it is, in sum, simply a business from which those involved propose to derive a steady profit for their own self-love.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
If it requires great tact to speak to the purpose, it requires no less to know when to be silent.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
As we grow older, we increase in folly--and in wisdom.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
The person giving the advice returns the confidence placed in him with a disinterested eagerness... and he is usually guided only by his own interest or reputation.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
If we had no faults, we would not derive so much pleasure from noting those of other people.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
We are all strong enough to bear other men's misfortunes.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
In the misfortunes of our best friends we always find something not altogether displeasing to us.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
As uncommon a thing as true love is, it is yet easier to find than true friendship.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Nothing is so contagious as example.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
There is only one kind of love, but there are a thousand imitations.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
He who refuses praise the first time that it is offered does so because he would hear it a second time.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
It is as easy to unknowingly deceive yourself as it is to deceive others.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
It is much better to learn to deal with the ills we have now than to speculate on those that may befall us.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Our aversion to lying is commonly a secret ambition to make what we say considerable, and have every word received with a religious respect.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Men are inconsolable concerning the treachery of their friends or the deceptions of their enemies and yet they are often very highly satisfied to be both deceived and betrayed by their own selves.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Imagination could never invent the number of different contradictions that exist innately in each person's heart.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Οur own distrust somewhat justifies the deceit of others.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
