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Quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“A man would rather say evil of himself than say nothing.”

Quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Author

Francois de La Rochefoucauld

French author known for his wit and moral maxims. His works delve deeply into the flaws of human nature and the hypocrisy of society. more

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“The most clever and polite are content with only seeming attentive while we perceive in their mind and eyes that at the very time they are wandering from what is said and desire to return to what they want to say.”

Want Mind Said Eye Desire Return Clever Wander Perceive Polite Seeming Most Clever

Author:Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Instead of considering that the worst way to persuade or please others is to try thus strongly to please ourselves, and that to listen well and to answer well are some of the greatest charms we can have in conversation.”

Way Trying Wells Answers Worst Please Conversation Charm Considering

Author:Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“It is oftener by the estimation of our own feelings that we exaggerate the good qualities of others than by their merit, and when we praise them we wish to attract their praise.”

Feelings Wish Quality Praise Merit Good Quality Estimation

Author:Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Praise is flattery, artful, hidden, delicate, which gratifies differently him who praises and him who is praised. The one takes it as the reward of merit, the other bestows it to show his impartiality and knowledge.”

Shows Praise Rewards Merit Delicate Flattery Impartiality

Author:Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“We often select envenomed praise which, by a reaction upon those we praise, shows faults we could not have shown by other means.”

Mean Shows Praise Faults Reactions Select

Author:Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Few are sufficiently wise to prefer censure which is useful to praise which is treacherous.”

Wise Praise Treacherous Censure

Author:Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Some reproaches praise; some praises reproach.”

Praise Reproach

Author:Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“The desire which urges us to deserve praise strengthens our good qualities, and praise given to wit, valour, and beauty, tends to increase them.”

Desire Given Quality Deserve Increase Praise Wit Urges Good Quality Valour

Author:Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Fortune cures us of many faults that reason could not.”

Reason Fortune Faults Cures

Author:Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“There are some persons who only disgust with their abilities, there are persons who please even with their faults.”

Persons Ability Please Faults Disgusting

Author:Francois de La Rochefoucauld