“We all have strength enough to endure the misfortunes of others.”

— François de La Rochefoucauld, Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims, Maxim 19, 1665–1678

About François de La Rochefoucauld

1613 – 1680

French moralist, author of the "Maxims" (1665).

“Perfect courage is to do without witnesses what one would be capable of doing with the world looking on.”

“Our virtues are most frequently but vices in disguise.”

“Self-love is the greatest of all flatterers.”

“Sure I am of this, that you have only to endure to conquer.”

“There is always a philosophy for lack of courage.”

“If you see what is right and fail to act on it, you lack courage.”

“How long will men dare to call anything expedient that is not right?”

“Delay always breeds danger.”

“In hidden inwardness all are Christians; who would dare deny this?”