Duc François de la Rochefoucauld
@rochefoucauld.bsky.social
This account posts maxims from various sources, but chiefly by La Rochefoucauld, the master of the genre. Posts by La R unless otherwise stated. New post every 3rd day. Run by @nowheria.bsky.social
305. Self-interest, which is accused of all our crimes, often deserves to be praised for our good deeds.
February 15, 2026 at 8:57 PM
305. Self-interest, which is accused of all our crimes, often deserves to be praised for our good deeds.
"A candour affected is a dagger concealed." - Marcus Aurelius, from Meditations Bk.11, 15.
February 12, 2026 at 8:05 PM
"A candour affected is a dagger concealed." - Marcus Aurelius, from Meditations Bk.11, 15.
304. We often forgive those who bore us, but we cannot forgive those whom we bore.
February 9, 2026 at 7:49 PM
304. We often forgive those who bore us, but we cannot forgive those whom we bore.
303. Whatever good is said about us never teaches us anything new.
February 6, 2026 at 7:20 PM
303. Whatever good is said about us never teaches us anything new.
302. It is usually only in matters of little interest that we take the risk of not believing in appearances.
February 3, 2026 at 6:37 PM
302. It is usually only in matters of little interest that we take the risk of not believing in appearances.
301. Plenty of people disdain possessions, but few know how to give them away.
January 31, 2026 at 6:41 PM
301. Plenty of people disdain possessions, but few know how to give them away.
300. Some follies are catching, like contagious illnesses.
January 28, 2026 at 10:21 AM
300. Some follies are catching, like contagious illnesses.
299. Almost everyone takes pleasure in discharging small obligations; many people are grateful for average-sized ones; but there is hardly anyone who does not lack gratitude for great ones.
January 25, 2026 at 12:05 PM
299. Almost everyone takes pleasure in discharging small obligations; many people are grateful for average-sized ones; but there is hardly anyone who does not lack gratitude for great ones.
298. Most men's gratitude is merely a secret wish to receive greater favours.
January 20, 2026 at 10:28 AM
298. Most men's gratitude is merely a secret wish to receive greater favours.
APOLOGIES FOR THE INTERRUPTION IN SERVICE - ED.
January 20, 2026 at 10:27 AM
APOLOGIES FOR THE INTERRUPTION IN SERVICE - ED.
297. The body's humours follow a normal, regular course, which imperceptibly impels and bends our will. They progress together and successively exercise secret dominion over us, so that they play an important part in all our deeds, though we do not know it.
January 13, 2026 at 7:39 PM
297. The body's humours follow a normal, regular course, which imperceptibly impels and bends our will. They progress together and successively exercise secret dominion over us, so that they play an important part in all our deeds, though we do not know it.
296. It is hard to like those whom we do not respect at all; but it is no easier to like those whom we respect far more than ourselves.
January 10, 2026 at 6:27 PM
296. It is hard to like those whom we do not respect at all; but it is no easier to like those whom we respect far more than ourselves.
295. We are very far from knowing all our wishes.
January 7, 2026 at 6:38 PM
295. We are very far from knowing all our wishes.
294. We always like those who admire us, and we do not always like those whom we admire.
January 4, 2026 at 10:41 AM
294. We always like those who admire us, and we do not always like those whom we admire.
293. Moderation cannot claim any merit for fighting ambition and subjugating it; the two things are never found together. Moderation is sluggishness and laziness of the soul, as ambition is its activity and ardour.
January 1, 2026 at 8:38 PM
293. Moderation cannot claim any merit for fighting ambition and subjugating it; the two things are never found together. Moderation is sluggishness and laziness of the soul, as ambition is its activity and ardour.
292. It may be said of men's temperaments, as of most buildings, that they have various different sides, some agreeable and some disagreeable.
December 29, 2025 at 6:09 PM
292. It may be said of men's temperaments, as of most buildings, that they have various different sides, some agreeable and some disagreeable.
291. The merit of men, like fruit, has its season.
December 26, 2025 at 7:13 PM
291. The merit of men, like fruit, has its season.
290. There are more faults in the humour than in the mind.
December 23, 2025 at 6:30 PM
290. There are more faults in the humour than in the mind.
289. Affected simplicity is a subtle imposture.
December 20, 2025 at 11:39 AM
289. Affected simplicity is a subtle imposture.
288. Some business matters and some illnesses can be aggravated by remedies, at certain times; the really clever thing is to know when it is dangerous to make use of them.
December 17, 2025 at 5:46 PM
288. Some business matters and some illnesses can be aggravated by remedies, at certain times; the really clever thing is to know when it is dangerous to make use of them.
287. It is not so much a fertile mind that makes us find various solutions to a single matter; rather, it is lack of enlightenment, which makes us pause over everything that springs to our imagination, and prevents us from immediately recognising which one is best.
December 14, 2025 at 5:35 PM
287. It is not so much a fertile mind that makes us find various solutions to a single matter; rather, it is lack of enlightenment, which makes us pause over everything that springs to our imagination, and prevents us from immediately recognising which one is best.
286. It is impossible to love again what you have really ceased to love.
December 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
286. It is impossible to love again what you have really ceased to love.
285. Magnanimity is defined well enough by its name, yet we could say that it is pride's form of good sense, and the noblest way to win praise.
December 8, 2025 at 6:47 PM
285. Magnanimity is defined well enough by its name, yet we could say that it is pride's form of good sense, and the noblest way to win praise.
284. There are some wicked people who would be less dangerous if they had absolutely no goodness.
December 5, 2025 at 7:42 PM
284. There are some wicked people who would be less dangerous if they had absolutely no goodness.
283. Sometimes it takes as much cleverness to profit from good advice as to give ourselves good advice.
December 2, 2025 at 6:28 PM
283. Sometimes it takes as much cleverness to profit from good advice as to give ourselves good advice.