Maxims of François VI, Duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680):

• “An extraordinary Haste to discharge an Obligation is a Sort of Ingratitude.”
• “Did we not flatter ourselves, the Flattery of others could never hurt us.”
• “Before we passionately desire a Thing, we should examine into the Happiness of its Possessor.”
• “Few Men are able to know all the Ill they do.”
• “Fortune never seems so blind to any as to those on whom she bestows no Favours.”
• “Happiness is in the Taste, not in the Thing; and we are made happy by possessing what we love, not what others think lovely.”
• “Men may boast of their great Actions; but they are oftner the Effects of Chance, than of Design.”
• “The Glory of great Men ought always to be rated according to the Means used to acquire it.”
• “We should manage our Fortune as our Constitution; enjoy it when good, have Patience when ’tis bad, and never apply violent Remedies but in Cases of Necessity.”
• “We bear, all of us, the Misfortunes of other People with heroic Constancy.”
• “Whatever great Advantages Nature can give, she can’t without Fortune’s Concurrence make Heroes.”

And “Hope, deceitful as it is, carries us thro’ Life agreeably enough.”