Related:

• The passions are the only orators that always persuade. -- Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld
• Those only are despicable who fear to be despised. -- Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld
• The passions often engender their contraries. -- Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld
• Self-love is the greatest of flatterers. -- Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld
• Mediocre minds usually dismiss anything which reaches beyond their own understanding.
  -- Francois, Duc de La Rochefoucauld, "Maxims" 1665...
• We would often be ashamed of our finest actions if the world understood all the motives which produced them.
  -- Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld...
• Ability wins us the esteem of the true men; luck that of the people.
  -- Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld...
• Age is a tyrant, who forbids, at the penalty of life, all the pleasures of youth.
  -- Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld...
• Men give away nothing so liberally as their advice. -- Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld