Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims

This collection of phrases and maxims by Rochefoucauld is published here complete with no abridgements.

Originally written in the aftermath of decades spent in the lively and politically charged French court, Rochefoucauld's honed his wit and wisdom through having lived among and dealt with people is displayed magnificently. 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.

The evenhanded nature of the author receives due prominence in this book - his maxims are pithy and incisive, witty and occasionally profound. Something of a progenitor to Oscar Wilde, Rochefoucauld nevertheless carefully pruned and edited his maxims during his lifetime, while a few were added by admirers posthumously.

Examples include:

"Self-love is the greatest of all flatterers."

"The truest mark of having been born with great qualities is to have been born without envy."

Much-quoted and praised to this day within and outside France, the maxims and reflections of Rochefoucauld hold eternal relevance, in that so many concern the human being's essential nature.