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.
Francois de La RochefoucauldBefore we set our hearts too much upon anything, let us examine how happy they are, who already possess it.
Francois de La RochefoucauldThere are a great many simpletons who know themselves to be so, and who make a very cunning use of their own simplicity.
Francois de La RochefoucauldIn all aspects of life, we take on a part and an appearance to seem to be what we wish to be--and thus the world is merely composed of actors.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld