The contempt of riches in the philosophers was a concealed desire of revenging on fortune the injustice done to their merit, by despising the good she denied them.
Francois de La RochefoucauldNarrowness of mind is often the cause of obstinacy; we do not easily believe beyond what we see.
Francois de La RochefoucauldOur merit gains us the esteem of the virtuous-our star that of the public.
Francois de La RochefoucauldThe hate of favourites is only a love of favour. The envy of NOT possessing it, consoles and softens its regrets by the contempt it evinces for those who possess it, and we refuse them our homage, not being able to detract from them what attracts that of the rest of the world.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld