It is a mistake to imagine, that the violent passions only, such as ambition and love, can triumph over the rest. Idleness, languid as it is, often masters them all; she influences all our designs and actions, and insensibly consumes and destroys both passions and virtues.
Francois de La RochefoucauldWere we perfectly acquainted with the object, we should never passionately desire it.
Francois de La RochefoucauldThe most brilliant fortunes are often not worth the littleness required to gain them.
Francois de La RochefoucauldWe own up to minor failings, but only so as to convince others that we have no major ones.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld