We are much harder on people who betray us in small ways than on people who betray others in great ones.
Francois de La RochefoucauldWe should desire very few things passionately if we did but perfectly know the nature of the things we desire.
Francois de La RochefoucauldThe constancy of the wise is only the art of keeping disquietude to one's self.
Francois de La RochefoucauldNovelty is to love like bloom to fruit; it gives a luster which is easily effaced, but never returns.
Francois de La RochefoucauldWe label judges with having the meanest motives, and yet we desire that our reputation and fame should depend upon the judgment of men, who are all, either from their jealousy or preoccupation or want of intelligence, opposed to us - and yet despite their bias, just for the sake of making these men decide in our favor, we peril in so many ways both our peace and our life.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld