Introduction

'Our virtues are most often only vices in disguise.' This opening line of the Maxims sets the tone of the whole book. In more than five hundred brief and pointed maxims, La Rochefoucauld lays bare the self-love concealed behind all our virtues: our generosity is often vanity, our modesty a wish for more praise, and our sympathy for the misfortunes of others has a secret relief in it. 'We all have strength enough to endure the misfortunes of others.' 'Philosophy triumphs easily over past and future evils, but present evils triumph over philosophy.' 'Neither the sun nor death can be looked at steadily.' With its cold, sharp insight and flawless French, the book is a masterpiece of French classical prose; Nietzsche was among its most ardent readers.