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1 |
Our virtues are most frequently but vices disguised. 1 |
Maxim 19. |
2 |
We have all sufficient strength to endure the misfortunes of others. |
Maxim 19. |
3 |
Philosophy triumphs easily over past evils and future evils; but present evils triumph over it. 2 |
Maxim 22. |
4 |
We need greater virtues to sustain good than evil fortune. |
Maxim 25. |
5 |
Neither the sun nor death can be looked at with a steady eye. |
Maxim 26. |
6 |
Interest speaks all sorts of tongues, and plays all sorts of parts, even that of disinterestedness. |
Maxim 39. |
7 |
We are never so happy or so unhappy as we suppose. |
Maxim 49. |
8 |
There are few people who would not be ashamed of being loved when they love no longer. |
Maxim 71. |
9 |
True love is like ghosts, which everybody talks about and few have seen. |
Maxim 76. |
10 |
The love of justice is simply, in the majority of men, the fear of suffering injustice. |
Maxim 78. |
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11 |
Silence is the best resolve for him who distrusts himself. |
Maxim 79. |
12 |
Friendship is only a reciprocal conciliation of interests, and an exchange of good offices; it is a species of commerce out of which self-love always expects to gain something. |
Maxim 83. |
13 |
A man who is ungrateful is often less to blame than his benefactor. |
Maxim 96. |
14 |
The understanding is always the dupe of the heart. |
Maxim 102. |
15 |
Nothing is given so profusely as advice. |
Maxim 110. |
16 |
The true way to be deceived is to think oneself more knowing than others. |
Maxim 127. |
17 |
Usually we praise only to be praised. |
Maxim 146. |
18 |
Our repentance is not so much regret for the ill we have done as fear of the ill that may happen to us in consequence. |
Maxim 180. |
19 |
Most people judge men only by success or by fortune. |
Maxim 212. |
20 |
Hypocrisy is the homage vice pays to virtue. |
Maxim 218. |
21 |
Too great haste to repay an obligation is a kind of ingratitude. |
Maxim 226. |
22 |
There is great ability in knowing how to conceal ones ability. |
Maxim 245. |
23 |
The pleasure of love is in loving. We are happier in the passion we feel than in that we inspire. 3 |
Maxim 259. |
24 |
We always like those who admire us; we do not always like those whom we admire. |
Maxim 294. |
25 |
The gratitude of most men is but a secret desire of receiving greater benefits. 4 |
Maxim 298. |
26 |
Lovers are never tired of each other, though they always speak of themselves. |
Maxim 312. |
27 |
We pardon in the degree that we love. |
Maxim 330. |
28 |
We hardly find any persons of good sense save those who agree with with us. 5 |
Maxim 347. |
29 |
The greatest fault of a penetrating wit is to go beyond the mark. |
Maxim 377. |
30 |
We may give advice, but we cannot inspire the conduct. |
Maxim 378. |
31 |
The veracity which increases with old age is not far from folly. |
Maxim 416. |
32 |
In their first passion women love their lovers, in all the others they love love. 6 |
Maxim 471. |
33 |
Quarrels would not last long if the fault was only on one side. |
Maxim 496. |
34 |
In the adversity of our best friends we often find something that is not exactly displeasing. 7 |
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Note 1. This epigraph, which is the key to the system of La Rochefoucauld, is found in another form as No. 179 of the Maxims of the first edition, 1665; it is omitted from the second and third, and reappears for the first time in the fourth edition at the head of the Reflections.Aime Martin. [back] |
Note 2. See Goldsmith, Quotation 75. [back] |
Note 3. See Shelley, Quotation 15. [back] |
Note 4. See Walpole, Quotation 4. [back] |
Note 5. That was excellently observed, say I when I read a passage in another where his opinion agrees with mine. When we differ, then I pronounce him to be mistaken.Jonathan Swift: Thoughts on Various Subjects. [back] |
Note 6. See Byron, Quotation 209. [back] |
Note 7. This reflection, No. 99 in the edition of 1665, the author suppressed in the third edition.
In all distresses of our friends We first consult our private ends; While Nature, kindly bent to ease us, Points out some circumstance to please us. Dean Swift: A Paraphrase of Rochefoucaulds Maxim. [back] |
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