Reflections; or, Sentences and Moral Maxims

François de La Rochefoucauld

⏱ 7 minWisdom classic

The wittiest cynic of the court of Louis XIV holds a mirror to the human heart and finds self-love hiding inside every virtue: hypocrisy is the homage vice pays to virtue. A guided tour of the Maxims that ends on his unflinching meditation on death.

Listen to the whole of Reflections; or, Sentences and Moral Maxims in about 7 minutes — professionally narrated, with Apple-Music-style synced subtitles. One book free every day; Folio Premium unlocks the entire library.