Author of quotes: Francois de La Rochefoucauld. Page 1

There are people whose all virtues are based on the ability to speak appropriately and do stupid things; if they changed their behavior, everything would be ruined.

One of the reasons that smart and pleasant interlocutors are so rare is the habit of most people to respond not to other people's judgments, but to their own thoughts. The one who is more cunning and more courteous tries to portray attention on his face, but his eyes and his whole appearance betray a lack of interest in what the other is saying, and an impatient desire to return to what he himself intends to say. Few understand that trying to please yourself is a bad way to please or convince another, and that only by knowing how to listen and respond can you be a good conversationalist.

It often seems to a person that he owns himself, while in fact something owns him; while his mind strives for one goal, his heart imperceptibly draws him to another.

The evil we inflict. incurs less hatred and persecution on us than our dignity.

The equanimity that those condemned to execution sometimes show, as well as contempt for death, speaks only of the fear of looking her straight in the eyes; hence, it can be said that both are to their minds the same as a blindfold to their eyes.

People not only forget good deeds and grievances, but even tend to hate their benefactors and forgive offenders. The need to repay the good and avenge the evil seems to them a slavery, to which they do not want to submit.

There are people in bad deeds which are impossible to believe unless he sees with his own eyes. However, there are no such people, bad deeds which should be surprised after we are already convinced.

In life there are sometimes provisions from which it is possible to get out only with some brainstorms.

Common sense we find only those who agree with us.

Sympathy for the enemy in distress, most often caused not so much kindness, how much pride we condole with them in order that they understand our superiority over them.

People are devastated when they are being deceived by the enemy or betraying friends, but they often feel pleasure when deceive or betray themselves.

Some self-interest is blinding, the other opens his eyes.

In memory of his complains every, for the reason - nobody.

We would have won in the eyes of the people if it was them as we have always been, not pretended to be what we never were and never will be.