the experience of reading in Britain, from 1450 to 1945...

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Francois VI, Duc de La Rochefoucauld : Reflexions ou sentences et maximes morales

'Some time ago, I bought me a copy of La Rochefoucault. It has been said that the basis of his system is the supposition of selflove being the motive of all our actions. It rather seems, as if he had laid down no system at all. Regarding man as a wretched, mischievous thing, little better than a kind of vermin, he represents him as the sport of his passions, above all of vanity, and exposes the secret springs of his conduct always with some wit, and (?bating the usual sacrifices of accuracy to smartness), in general, with great truth & sagacity'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Book

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