We 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 RochefoucauldFriendship is a traffic wherein self-love always proposes to be the gainer.
Francois de La RochefoucauldAs great minds have the faculty of saying a great deal in a few words, so lesser minds have a talent of talking much, and saying nothing.
Francois de La RochefoucauldWere we not proud ourselves, we should not complain of the pride of others.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld