Francois de La Rochefoucauld Quotes

Moderation has been called a virtue to limit the ambition of great men, and to console undistinguished people for their want of fortune and their lack of merit.

The superior man does what is proper to the station in which he is; he does not desire to go beyond this.

Curb your talent lest it speed where virtue does not guide.

So many things--nay every real thing--is good if only it will be humble and ordinate.

The man who barely abstains from violating either the person, or the estate, or the reputation of his neighbours, has surely very little positive merit. He fulfils, however, all the rules of what is peculiarly called justice, and does every thing which his equals can with propriety force him to do, or which they can punish him for not doing. We may often fulfil all the rules of justice by sitting still and doing nothing.

It is the function of vice to keep virtue within reasonable bounds.

Temperance is reason's girdle and passion's bridle, the strength of the soul and the foundation of virtue.

We become just by the practice of just actions, self-controlled by exercising self-control, and courageous by performing acts of courage.

VIRTUES, n.pl. Certain abstentions.

The order of nature [is] that individual happiness shall be inseparable from the practice of virtue.

It is little the sign of a wise or good man, to suffer temperance to be transgressed in order to purchase the repute of a generous entertainer.

Only deeds give strength to life, only moderation gives it charm.

Let us ask what is best - not what is customary. Let us love temperance - let us be just - let us refrain from bloodshed.

All censure of a man's self is oblique praise. It is in order to show how much he can spare.

Happiness is not the reward of virtue, but is virtue itself; nor do we delight in happiness because we restrain from our lusts; but on the contrary, because we delight in it, therefore we are able to restrain them.

Earnest in practicing the ordinary virtues, and careful in speaking about them, if, in his practice, he has anything defective, the superior man dares not but exert himself; and if, in his words, he has any excess, he dares not allow himself such license.

Man's chief merit consists in resisting the impulses of his nature.

Moderation is a virtue only in those who are thought to have an alternative.

So far as regards their moral character, the Finns have as little cause for reproach as any other people.

The heart is great which shows moderation in the midst of prosperity.

The highest proof of virtue is to possess boundless power without abusing it.

When sages commend excess, Desire is sick.

Temperance is a mean with regard to pleasures.

Moderation is the silken string running through the pearl chain of all virtues.

I have raised the morals and sobriety of the people.