We often see malefactors, when they are led to execution, put on resolution and a contempt of death which, in truth, is nothing else but fearing to look it in the face--so that this pretended bravery may very truly be said to do the same good office to their mind that the blindfold does to their eyes.
Francois de La RochefoucauldPhilosophy triumphs easily over past evils and future evils, but present evils triumph over it.
Francois de La RochefoucauldThe hunger for applause is the source for all conscious literature and heroism
Francois de La RochefoucauldLove of glory, fear of shame, greed for fortune, the desire to make life agreeable and comfortable, and the wish to depreciate others - all of these are often the causes of the bravery that is spoken so highly of by men.
Francois de La RochefoucauldThe only good copies are those which make us see the absurdity of bad originals.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld