Francois de La Rochefoucauld

"When fortune surprises us by giving us some great office without having gradually led us to expect it, or without having raised our hopes, it is well nigh impossible to occupy it well, and to appear worthy to fill it."

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Source: Maxims by Francois de La Rochefoucauld, (No. 359), 1665-1678.

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Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Francois de La Rochefoucauld

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Francois de La Rochefoucauld was a 17th-century French writer known for his insightful maxims on human nature and morality.

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"The passions are the only orators that always persuade: they are, as it were, a natural art, the rules of which are infallible; and the simplest man with passion is more persuasive than the most eloquent without it."

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