Avarice misapprehends itself almost always. There is no passion which more often will miss its aim, nor upon which the present has so much influence to the prejudice of the future.
Francois de La RochefoucauldFriendship is only a reciprocal conciliation of interests, and an exchange of good offices; it is a species of commerce out of which self-love always expects to gain something.
Francois de La RochefoucauldIt is as commendable to think well of oneself when alone, as it is ridiculous to speak well of oneself among others.
Francois de La RochefoucauldTo understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld