If vanity does not entirely overthrow the virtues, at least it makes them all totter.
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 RochefoucauldWe often pride ourselves on even the most criminal passions, but envy is a timid and shamefaced passion we never dare to acknowledge.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld