Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Too great haste to repay an obligation is a kind of ingratitude. ”

We always get bored with those whom we bore. ”

Perfect Valor is to do, without a witness, all that we could do before the whole world. ”

It is easier to appear worthy of a position one does not hold, than of the office which one fills. ”

Timidity is a fault for which it is dangerous to reprove persons whom we wish to correct of it. ”

Those who are incapable of committing great crimes do not readily suspect them in others. ”

We are more interested in making others believe we are happy than in trying to be happy ourselves. ”

There is a kind of elevation which does not depend on fortune; it is a certain air which distinguishes us, and seems to destine us for great things; it is a price which we imperceptibly set upon ourselves. ”

The sure mark of one born with noble qualities is being born without envy. ”

Perfect valour consists in doing without witnesses that which we would be capable of doing before everyone. ”