La Rochefoucauld

Every line we carry

Each one links to its source, what it means, and the shirt in any of our looks.

1. We all have strength enough to bear other people's troubles.

   La Rochefoucauld skewers how easily we preach patience to others. Calm about someone else's pain costs nothing. Measure your wisdom by how you handle your own trouble.

   Maxims 19, our translation from the French

2. You can't stare at the sun, or at death.

   Some things are too big to look at directly. Most courage in the face of death is really looking away. Approach the hardest truths with honesty about how little we can take in.

   Maxims 26, our translation from the French

3. Everyone complains of their memory. No one of their judgment.

   We admit small weaknesses easily and never suspect the big ones. Poor judgment rarely recognizes itself. Ask others to check your thinking.

   Maxims 89, our translation from the French

4. Hypocrisy is the tribute vice pays to virtue.

   Even liars pretend to be good, which shows that goodness is still the standard. The fake proves the value of the real. Be the real thing.

   Maxims 218, our translation from the French

5. Absence kills small passions and feeds great ones, like wind on candles and fire.

   Distance is a test. Weak feelings fade, strong ones grow. If you want to know how much something matters, see what time apart does to it.

   Maxims 276, our translation from the French

6. True courage is doing unseen what you'd do in front of everyone.

   Many people are brave only with an audience. Real courage needs no witnesses. Act the same in the dark as in the light.

   Maxims 216, our translation from the French

7. We have more strength than will.

   La Rochefoucauld adds that we often call things impossible to excuse ourselves. Most limits are in our willingness, not our ability. Try before you declare it can't be done.

   Maxims 30, our translation from the French

8. We're never as happy or as unhappy as we imagine.

   Imagination exaggerates in both directions. The highs are lower and the lows are higher than they feel in the moment. Wait before you judge how good or bad it really is.

   Maxims 49, our translation from the French