François de La Rochefoucauld

1613–1680 · French writer and moralist

French author of maxims and memoirs. His concise reflections examine self-interest, appearances and the motives behind social behaviour.

Traced to source

7 quotes we’ve traced to François de La Rochefoucauld

“However rare true love is, true friendship is rarer”

“Hypocrisy is the homage vice pays to virtue”

“If we had no faults we should not take so much pleasure in noting those of others”

“Neither the sun nor death can be looked at without winking”

“Our virtues are most frequently but vices disguised”

“Self-love is the greatest of flatterers”

“We promise according to our hopes; we perform according to our fears”

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