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.
Francois de La RochefoucauldA man often believes himself leader when he is led; as his mind endeavors to reach one goal, his heart insensibly drags him towards another.
Francois de La RochefoucauldA man is perhaps ungrateful, but often less chargeable with ingratitude than his benefactor is.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld