Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Confidence contributes more to conversation than wit. ”

As it is the characteristic of great wits to say much in few words, so small wits seem to have the gift of speaking much and saying nothing. ”

Conceit causes more conversation than wit. ”

Every one speaks well of his own heart, but no one dares speak well of his own mind. ”

Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them. ”

Not all those who know their minds know their hearts as well. ”

There are heroes in evil as well as in good. ”

What we call generosity is for the most part only the vanity of giving; and we exercise it because we are more fond of that vanity than of the thing we give. ”

The reason why so few people are agreeable in conversation is that each is thinking more about what he intends to say than others are saying. ”

If we have not peace within ourselves, it is in vain to seek it from outward sources. ”