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It is easier to deceive yourself, and to do so unperceived, than to deceive another.
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
Perception
Easier
Another
Self
Unperceived
Deceive
Deceiving
More quotes by Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Few people have the wisdom to prefer the criticism that would do them good, to the praise that deceives them.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Considering how little the beginning or the ceasing to love is in our own power, it is foolish and unreasonable for the lover or his mistress to complain of one another's inconstancy.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
A small degree of wit, accompanied by good sense, is less tiresome in the long run than a great amount of wit without it.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Fortune never appears so blind as to those to whom she does no good.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Fortune turns all things to the advantage of those on whom she smiles.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
The temperament that produces a talent for little things is the opposite of that required for great ones.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Our actions are like blank rhymes, to which everyone applies what sense he pleases.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
It appears that nature has hid at the bottom of our hearts talents and abilities unknown to us. It is only the passions that have the power of bringing them to light, and sometimes give us views more true and more perfect than art could possibly do.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
There is a form of eminence which does not depend on fate it is an air which sets us apart and seems to prtend great things it is the value which we unconsciously attach to ourselves it is the quality which wins us deference of others more than birth, position, or ability, it gives us ascendance.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
As it is the characteristic of great wits to say much in few words, so small wits seem to have the gift of speaking much and saying nothing.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Too great haste to repay an obligation is a kind of ingratitude.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Before we passionately desire a thing, we should examine the happiness of its possessor.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
The most subtle of our acts is to simulate blindness for snares that we know are set for us.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Moral severity in women is only a dress or paint which they use to set off their beauty.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Wit sometimes enables us to act rudely with impunity.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Few things are impracticable in themselves and it is for want of application, rather than of means, that men fail to succeed.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Sometimes there are accidents in our lives the skillful extrication from which demands a little folly.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Neither love nor fire can subsist without perpetual motion both cease to live so soon as they cease to hope, or to fear.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Generally speaking, we would make a good bargain by renouncing all the good that people say of us, upon condition they would say no ill.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
The clemency of Princes is often but policy to win the affections of the people.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
