Francois de La Rochefoucauld Quotations | Page 2

Women in love sooner forgive great indiscretions than small infidelities.

Tis a sort of coquetry to boast that we never coquet.

However wicked men may be, they do not dare openly to appear the enemies of virtue, and when they desire to persecute her they either pretend to believe her false or attribute crimes to her.

People are often vain of their passions, even of the worst, but envy is a passion so timid and shame-faced that no one ever dare avow her.

A gentleman may love like a lunatic, but not like a beast.

Our envy always outlives the felicity of its object.

There are certain defects which, well-mounted, glitter like virtue itself.

We had better appear what we are, than affect to appear what we are not.

Jealousy is in a manner just and reasonable, as it tends to preserve a good which belongs, or which we believe belongs to us, on the other hand envy is a fury which cannot endure the happiness of others.

Passion often renders the most clever man a fool, and sometimes renders the most foolish man clever.