Innocence finds not near so much protection as guilt.

— La Rochefoucauld

It is easier to be wise for others than for ourselves.

— La Rochefoucauld

It is easier to know mankind in general than man individually.

— La Rochefoucauld

It is not enough to succeed a friend must fail.

— La Rochefoucauld

It is the prerogative of great men only to have great defects.

— La Rochefoucauld

Moderation is an ostentatious proof of our strength of character.

— La Rochefoucauld

No man deserves to be praised for his goodness unless he has the strength of character to be wicked. All other goodness is generally nothing but indolence or impotence of will.

— La Rochefoucauld

Of all our faults the one that we excuse most easily is idleness.

— La Rochefoucauld

Old men are fond of giving good advice to console themselves for being no longer in a position to give bad examples.

— La Rochefoucauld

One can find women who have never had a love affair but it is rare indeed to find any who have had only one.

— La Rochefoucauld