Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld

The gratitude of most men is but a secret desire of receiving
greater benefits.

The gratitude of most men is but a secret desire of receiving
greater benefits.

What seems to be generosity is often no more than disguised ambition, which overlooks a small interest in order to read more

What seems to be generosity is often no more than disguised ambition, which overlooks a small interest in order to secure a great one.

Absence diminishes little passions and increases great ones, as
the wind extinguishes candles and fans a fire.
[Fr., read more

Absence diminishes little passions and increases great ones, as
the wind extinguishes candles and fans a fire.
[Fr., L'absence diminue les mediocres passions et augmente les
grandes, comme le vent eteint les bougies et allume le feu.]

Coquetry is the essential characteristic, and the prevalent humor
of women; but they do not all practise it, because read more

Coquetry is the essential characteristic, and the prevalent humor
of women; but they do not all practise it, because the coquetry
of some is restrained by fear or by reason.

There are few people who are not ashamed of their love affairs when the infatuation is over.

There are few people who are not ashamed of their love affairs when the infatuation is over.