The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
We are easily comforted for the misfortunes of our friends, when those misfortunes give us an occasion of expressing our affection and solicitude.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People often take comfort in their friends' misfortunes because it allows them to show care and concern.
This quote highlights the dual nature of human relationships, indicating that while we may feel empathy for our friends during tough times, there can also be a sense of satisfaction in being able to demonstrate our affection for them. It suggests that expressing our care can sometimes take precedence over the actual misfortune, as we derive comfort from the opportunity to connect.
Themes
FriendshipMisfortuneAffectionCareEmpathy
In practice
Example use cases
During a eulogy, one might mention how they were able to support friends in their grieving process, referencing this quote.
More from Francois De La Rochefoucauld
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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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Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
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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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