François Duc de La Rochefoucauld

The classic collection of wise phrases and advisory maxims by Rochefoucauld is published here in hardcover, complete with annotations. Originally written in the aftermath of decades spent in the lively and politically charged French court, Rochefoucauld had honed his wit and wisdom through having lived among and dealt with people. Admired in France for his shrewd conduct and opinions, Rochefoucauld neither praised humanity for its achievements and virtues nor condemned it for its flaws, excess pride and sins. His famous Reflections encapsulate an attitude cultivated by experience at a time of intellectual awakening in France. Rochefoucauld's even-handed nature receives due prominence in this book: his maxims are pithy and incisive, witty and occasionally profound. Something of a progenitor to Oscar Wilde for his sharp brevity, Rochefoucauld nevertheless carefully pruned and edited his maxims during his lifetime, while a few were added by admirers posthumously.

"Les Maximes" by Fran ois de La Rochefoucauld, followed by "R flexions Diverses," presents a timeless collection of aphorisms and reflections on human nature. Written in elegant French, these maxims dissect the motives behind human behavior, exposing the roles of self-interest and pride. La Rochefoucauld's sharp observations provide insights into courtly life and the universal characteristics of mankind. This edition allows readers to explore the enduring wisdom of a classic French moralist, offering observations as relevant today as they were centuries ago. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

The classic collection of wise phrases and advisory maxims by Rochefoucauld is published here complete with annotations. Originally written in the aftermath of decades spent in the lively and politically charged French court, Rochefoucauld had honed his wit and wisdom through having lived among and dealt with people. Admired in France for his shrewd conduct and opinions, Rochefoucauld neither praised humanity for its achievements and virtues nor condemned it for its flaws, excess pride and sins. His famous Reflections encapsulate an attitude cultivated by experience at a time of intellectual awakening in France. Rochefoucauld's even-handed nature receives due prominence in this book: his maxims are pithy and incisive, witty and occasionally profound. Something of a progenitor to Oscar Wilde for his sharp brevity, Rochefoucauld nevertheless carefully pruned and edited his maxims during his lifetime, while a few were added by admirers posthumously.

This famed work by a noted French author of the Renaissance era, seventeenth-century nobleman Fran ois de La Rochefoucauld, offers hundreds of brief, brutally honest observations of humankind and its self-serving nature. The perfect read for any realist-or anyone with the desire to evaluate their moral standing-this edition includes three supplements with additional maxims and essays.