John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
Page 982
| François, duc de La Rochefoucauld. (1613–1680) (continued) |
| 9533 |
| We always like those who admire us; we do not always like those whom we admire. |
| Maxim 294. |
| 9534 |
| The gratitude of most men is but a secret desire of receiving greater benefits. 1 |
| Maxim 298. |
| 9535 |
| Lovers are never tired of each other, though they always speak of themselves. |
| Maxim 312. |
| 9536 |
| We pardon in the degree that we love. |
| Maxim 330. |
| 9537 |
| We hardly find any persons of good sense save those who agree with with us. 2 |
| Maxim 347. |
| 9538 |
| The greatest fault of a penetrating wit is to go beyond the mark. |
| Maxim 377. |
| 9539 |
| We may give advice, but we cannot inspire the conduct. |
| Maxim 378. |
| 9540 |
| The veracity which increases with old age is not far from folly. |
| Maxim 416. |
| 9541 |
| In their first passion women love their lovers, in all the others they love love. 3 |
| Maxim 471. |
| 9542 |
| Quarrels would not last long if the fault was only on one side. |
| Maxim 496. |
| 9543 |
| In the adversity of our best friends we often find something that is not exactly displeasing. 4 |
| Note 1. See Walpole, Quotation 4. [back] |
| Note 2. ”That was excellently observed,” say I when I read a passage in another where his opinion agrees with mine. When we differ, then I pronounce him to be mistaken.—Jonathan Swift: Thoughts on Various Subjects. [back] |
| Note 3. See Byron, Quotation 209. [back] |
| Note 4. This reflection, No. 99 in the edition of 1665, the author suppressed in the third edition. In all distresses of our friends We first consult our private ends; While Nature, kindly bent to ease us, Points out some circumstance to please us. Dean Swift: A Paraphrase of Rochefoucauld’s Maxim. [back] |