Francois de La Rochefoucauld Quotes

We often pride ourselves on even the most criminal passions, but envy is a timid and shamefaced passion we never dare to acknowledge.

Guilt is feeling bad about what you have done; shame is feeling bad about who you are - all it is, is muddling up things you have done with who you are.

As iron is eaten away by rust, so the envious are consumed by their own passion.

Glory, built on selfish principles, is shame and guilt.

Envy is an insult to oneself.

Sin recognized but that may keep us humble, But oh, it keeps us nasty.

Being jealous of a beautiful woman is not going to make you more beautiful.

I admired in others the strength that I lacked myself.

Guilt is just as powerful, but its influence is positive, while shame's is destructive. Shame erodes our courage and fuels disengagement.

I don't get jealous of people. Jealousy is such a waste of time because you're jealous of them, and they go about their lives and have a wonderful time, so what's the point?

All sins have their origin in a sense of inferiority otherwise called ambition.

There is not a passion so strongly rooted in the human heart as envy.

I got over being embarrassed.

It's never good to compare yourself to anyone, whether it's professional or personal. There is always somebody better, more talented and powerful out there. There is no point of getting sucked into all that.

People that are conceited of their own merit take pride in being unfortunate, that themselves and others may think them considerable enough to be the envy and the mark of fortune.

I don't like my ego stroked too much.

How low am I, thou painted maypole?

Shame: We all have it. It's that gremlin that says 'I'm not enough.' Or, if you're feeling pretty confident,...'ooh, who do you think you are?' Shame always has a seat.

Jealousy is in a manner just and reasonable, as it tends to preserve a good which belongs, or which we believe belongs to us, on the other hand envy is a fury which cannot endure the happiness of others.

Ill-humor is nothing more than an inward feeling of our own want of merit, a dissatisfaction with ourselves which is always united with an envy that foolish vanity excites.

Envy and jealousy are the private parts of the human soul. Perhaps the comparison can be extended.

Envy is everywhere. Who is without envy? And most people Are unaware or unashamed of being envious.

If you have a strong ego [and] something good happens to an acquaintance of yours, [it] makes you feel bad. It's called envy. ... The ego thinks something has been taken away from you because somebody else has received something good. It's a complete illusion, but that's the madness of the ego.

Jealousy is in some measure just and reasonable, since it merely aims at keeping something that belongs to us or we think belongsto us, whereas envy is a frenzy that cannot bear anything that belongs to others.

Vanity is a strange passion; rather than be out of a job it will brag of its vices.