Francois de la RochefoucauldThinkers

Ability is impressive when the ability in question is the ability conceal one's ability.

Ability , when used to advantage, is better than brilliance - even when it is only moderate.

Absence diminishes mediocre passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and fans fires.

Achievement is a collection of little acts. Each little splinter holds up a wall.

Achievement is all about perception. The best way to rise in society is to persuade people that one has already risen in society.

Acquaintance is tied to admiration. The love of new acquaintance comes from the distaste we feel in being too little admired by those that know us too well, and the hope of being more admired by those that know us less.

Admiration is a kind of flattery. We always like those who admire us.

Admiration always results in love those who admire us, but it is not the case that we always love those whom we admire.

Affection is, despite the many pretexts we may give to it, often caused only by interest and vanity.

Agency is relative. A man often imagines that he acts when he is acted upon.

Agreeableness is, as distinct from beauty, a symmetry whose rules are unknown.