Related:

• Our repentance is not so much regret for the ill we have done as fear of the ill that may happen to us in consequence.
  -- Francis, Duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) -- Maxim 180...
• Mediocre minds usually dismiss anything which reaches beyond their own understanding.
  -- Francois, Duc de La Rochefoucauld, "Maxims" 1665...
• Old people like to give good advice, as solace for no longer being able to provide bad examples.
  -- Francois, Duc de La Rochefoucauld, "Maxims" 1665...
• Nothing so much prevents our being natural as the desire of appearing so.
  -- Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld...
• We never desire earnestly what we desire in reason. -- Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld
• We confess little faults in order to suggest that we have no big ones.
  -- Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld...
• Narrowness of mind is often the cause of obstinacy
  we do not easily believe beyond what we see. -- Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld...
• Those only are despicable who fear to be despised. -- Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld
• Perfect valor is to do unwitnessed what we should be capable of doing before all the world.
  -- Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld...