A man is ridiculous less through the characteristics he has than through those he affects to have.
Francois de La RochefoucauldIf one judges love according to the greatest part of the effects it produces, it would appear to resemble rather hatred than kindness.
Francois de La RochefoucauldWe are never so ridiculous through what we are as through what we pretend to be.
Francois de La RochefoucauldHigh fortune makes both our virtues and vices stand out as objects that are brought clearly to view by the light.
Francois de La RochefoucauldWe 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 Rochefoucauld