Francois De La Rochefoucauld Quotes
If there be a love pure and free from the admixture of our other passions, it is that which lies hidden in the bottom of our heart, and which we know not ourselves. If we are to judge of love by its consequences, it more nearly resembles hatred than friendship. If we did not flatter ourselves, the flattery of others could never harm us. If we had no faults of our own, we should not take so much pleasure in noticing those in others. If we judge love by most of its effects, it resembles rather hatred than affection. If we resist our passions, it is more due to their weakness than our strength. In all professions each affects a look and an exterior to appear what he wishes the world to believe that he is. Thus we may say that the whole world is made up of appearances. In friendship as well as love, ignorance very often contributes more to our happiness than knowledge. In love we often doubt what we most believe. In most of mankind gratitude is merely a secret hope of further favors. In the human heart new passions are forever being born; the overthrow of one almost always means the rise of another. In the misfortunes of our best friends we always find something not altogether displeasing to us. Innocence does not find near so much protection as guilt. It is a great act of cleverness to be able to conceal one's being clever. It is almost always a fault of one who loves not to realize when he ceases to be loved. It is easier to appear worthy of a position one does not hold, than of the office which one fills. It is easier to be wise for others than for ourselves. It is easier to know men in general, than men in particular. It is from a weakness and smallness of mind that men are opinionated; and we are very loath to believe what we are not able to comprehend. It is great folly to wish to be wise all alone.
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