The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People are often more talkative about their own pride than about clever ideas or insights.
This quote by Francois De La Rochefoucauld suggests that individuals with conceit and self-importance tend to dominate conversations more than those who possess genuine wit or insightful thoughts. The emphasis on conceit highlights how ego can overshadow intellectual discourse, suggesting that prideful individuals prioritize their own narratives over engaging in meaningful exchanges.
Themes
ConceitWitConversationEgoPrideDiscussion
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about creativity, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of humility over self-promotion.
More from Francois De La Rochefoucauld
All quotes βOld men delight in giving good advice as a consolation for the fact that they can no longer set bad examples.
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Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them.
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The defects and faults of the mind are like wounds in the body; after all imaginable care has been taken to heal them up, still there will be a scar left behind, and they are in continual danger of breaking the skin and bursting out again.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.
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In most of mankind gratitude is merely a secret hope of further favors.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
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