François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) was a French classical author and moralist. He was the leading exponent of the maxime, a French literary form of epigram that expresses a harsh or paradoxical truth with demonstrated clarity and brevity.
Born in Paris, La Rochefoucauld didn’t receive much formal education; instead, he was a student of human nature. He became a public figure after he joined the army, and then a leading member of the Fronde, a series of squabbles between the French nobility and the monarchy of Louis XIV.
Despite all his political activities, La Rochefoucauld is best remembered for his writing. He translated his observances into a collection of cynical epigrams, which he called Réflexions ou Sentences et Maximes Morales (1665.) He published this first edition anonymously, but subsequent editions under his own name. He published four more editions of Maximes in his lifetime, eventually writing more than 500 epigrammatic reflections analyzing human conduct, and finding self-interest to be its driving force.
Though he did a considerable amount of writing over the years, La Rochefoucauld actually published only one other work—a surreptitious edition of Mémoires (1662;) it conveyed wide offence and he denied its authorship. In addition, about 150 letters have been collected and 19 shorter pieces now known as Réflexions diverses.
La Rochefoucauld was admired by all the great French critics of the 19th century. Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche was influenced by not only his ethics, but also his literary style.
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No accidents are so unlucky but that the wise may draw some advantage from them; nor are there any so lucky but that the foolish may turn them to their own prejudice.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Perfect courage is to do without witnesses what one would be capable of doing with the world looking on.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Courage, Bravery
The violence we do to ourselves in order to remain faithful to the one we love is hardly better than an act of infidelity.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Perspective
We would frequently be ashamed of our good deeds if people saw all of the motives that produced them.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Motivation, Virtue
Humility is often only a feigned submission, of which we make use to render others submissive. It is an artifice of pride which abases in order to exalt itself.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Humility
The mind cannot long act the role of the heart.
—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
It is more easy to be wise for others than for ourselves.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Advice, Wisdom
Though men pride themselves on their great actions, often they are not the result of any great design, but of chance.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Luck
The art of using moderate abilities to advantage often brings greater results than actual brilliance.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Ability
The confidence we have in ourselves arises in a great measure from that which we have in others.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Confidence, Assurance, Positive Attitudes, Optimism, Health
We sometimes think we hate flattery, when we only hate the manner in which we have been flattered.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Flattery
We seldom attribute common sense except to those who agree with us.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
We are never so ridiculous from the habits we have as from those that we affect to have.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Affectation
Love of fame, fear of disgrace, schemes for advancement; desire to make life comfortable and pleasant, and the urge to humiliate others are often at the root of the valor that men hold in such high esteem.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Bravery
Those who give too much attention to trifling things become generally incapable of great ones.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Greatness
Few people know how to be old.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Age, Aging
We never desire strongly, what we desire rationally.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Desire, Desires
It’s the height of folly to want to be the only wise one.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Wisdom
We get so much in the habit of wearing disguises before others that we finally appear disguised before ourselves.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
We are much harder on people who betray us in small ways than on people who betray others in great ones.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
The height of ability consists in a thorough knowledge of the real value of things, and of the genius of the age in which we live.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Ability
To achieve greatness one should live as if they will never die.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Greatness, Greatness & Great Things
Wisdom is to the mind what health is to the body.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Wisdom, Health
Nature creates ability; luck provides it with opportunity.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Luck, Ability
We should manage our fortune as we do our health—enjoy it when good, be patient when it is bad, and never apply violent remedies except in an extreme necessity.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Health
A person well satisfied with themselves is seldom satisfied with others, and others, rarely are with them.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: People
Absence lessens half-hearted passions, and increases great ones, as the wind puts out candles and yet stirs up the fire.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Love, Romance, Absence
We can never be certain of our courage until we have faced danger.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Courage, Virtues, Bravery
Our minds are lazier than our bodies.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Thinking
A man of understanding finds less difficulty in submitting to a wrong-headed fellow, than in attempting to set him right.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Topics: Understanding
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