“Ability wins us the esteem of the true men; luck, that of the people.”
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Famous Francois de La Rochefoucauld Quotes
“He that would be a great man must learn to turn every accident to some advantage.”
“It is the prerogative of great men only to have great defects.”
“The man who leaves a woman best pleased with herself is the one whom she will soonest wish to see.”
“More men are guilty of treason through weakness than any studied design to betray.”
“A resolution never to deceive exposes a man to be often deceived.”
“The simplest man with passion will be more persuasive than the most eloquent without.”
“If a man doesn't find ease in himself, 'tis in vain to seek it elsewhere.”
“Men sometimes think they hate flattery, but they hate only the manner of flattering.”
“Gratitude, in most men, is only a strong and secret hope of greater favors.”
“To be a great man it is necessary to turn to account all opportunities.”
“It is sometimes necessary to play the fool to avoid being deceived by cunning men.”
“The generality of men have, like plants, latent properties, which chance brings to light.”
“In infants, levity is a prettiness; in men a shameful defect; but in old age, a monstrous folly.”
“The good or the bad fortune of men depends not less upon their own dispositions than upon fortune.”
“Self-love is more cunning than the most cunning man in the world.”
“Men more easily renounce their interests than their tastes.”
“A man does not please long when he has only species of wit.”
“The desire to be thought clever often prevents a man from becoming so.”