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Quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“We often see malefactors, when they are led to execution, put on resolution and a contempt of death which, in truth, is nothing else but fearing to look it in the face--so that this pretended bravery may very truly be said to do the same good office to their mind that the blindfold does to their eyes.”

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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“Nothing is more contagious than example, and no man does any exceeding good or exceeding ill but it spawns new deeds of the same kind. The good we imitate through emulation, the ill through the malignity of our nature, which shame keeps locked up, but example sets free.”

Men Kind Doe Example Shame Ill Deeds Locked Imitation Contagious Locked Up Spawn Emulation

Author:Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Those great and glorious actions that dazzle our eyes with their luster are represented by statesmen as the result of great wisdomand excellent design; whereas, in truth, they are commonly the effects of the humors and passions.”

Eye Action Passion Politics Results Effects Design Glory Excellent Glorious Statesmen Dazzle Luster

Author:Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“When the soul is ruffled by the remains of one passion, it is more disposed to entertain a new one than when it is entirely curedand at rest from all.”

Soul Passion Remains

Author:Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“A man often thinks he rules himself, when all the while he is ruled and managed; and while his understanding directs one design, his affections imperceptibly draw him into another.”

Thinking Men Passion Understanding Emotion Design Draws Affection

Author:Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“It is a mighty error to suppose that none but violent and strong passions, such as love and ambition, are able to vanquish the rest. Even idleness, as feeble and languishing as it is, sometimes reigns over them; it usurps the throne and sits paramount over all the designs and actions of our lives, and imperceptibly wastes and destroys all our passions and all our virtues.”

Sometimes Able Action Passion Strong Virtue Our Lives Design Waste Ambition Errors Violent Laziness Thrones Reign Idleness Paramount Vanquish Strong Passion

Author:Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“I'll tell you, there is nothing better in life than being a late bloomer. I believe that success can happen at any time and at any age.”

Believe Happens Age I Believe Late Birthday Sentimental 60th Birthday

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“Men are often so foolish as to boast and value themselves upon their passions, even those that are most vicious. But envy is a passion so full of cowardice and shame that no one every ever had the confidence to own it.”

Men Values Passion Shame Envy Foolish Cowardice Vicious Boast

Author:Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Men never desire anything very eagerly which they desire only by the dictates of reason.”

Men Reason Desire Passion

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“The heart of man ever finds a constant succession of passions, so that the destroying and pulling down of one proves generally tobe nothing else but the production and the setting up of another.”

Men Heart Passion Prove Constant Productions Setting Settings Destroying Pulling Succession

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“The passions do very often give birth to others of a nature most contrary to their own. Thus avarice sometimes brings forth prodigality, and prodigality avarice; a man's resolution is very often the effect of levity, and his boldness that of cowardice and fear.”

Men Giving Sometimes Passion Effects Birth Bravery Contrary Resolution Cowardice Boldness Avarice Levity

Author:Francois de La Rochefoucauld