What seems to be generosity is often no more than disguised ambition, which overlooks a small interest in order to secure a great one. Francois de La Rochefoucauld
No man deserves to be praised for his goodness, who has it not in his power to be wicked. Goodness without that power is generally nothing more than sloth, or an impotence of will. Francois de La Rochefoucauld
We come altogether fresh and raw into the several stages of life, and often find ourselves without experience, despite our years. Francois de La Rochefoucauld
It is no tragedy to do ungrateful people favors, but it is unbearable to be indebted to a scoundrel. Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Those who give too much attention to trifling things become generally incapable of great things. Francois de La Rochefoucauld