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About this quote

What does it mean?
Sincerity is rare; what looks like sincerity is often a strategy to gain trust.
In plain terms
True openness is rare; most apparent honesty is a trick to win trust.
What can you take from it?
Be cautious of people who seem too open too quickly.

Where it applies

  • building relationships
  • assessing trustworthiness

Putting it to work

  • relationship building
  • social awareness

Questions to consider

  • How do you recognize true sincerity?
  • Is honesty always genuine?

Another view

This view assumes most people are manipulative.

More from Francois de La Rochefoucauld

  1. Pour s'etablir dans le monde, on fait tout ce que l'on peut pour y paraitre etabli.

    Permalink to quote #20
  2. La bonne grace est au corps ce que le bon sens est a l'esprit.

    Permalink to quote #22
  3. On n'est jamais si heureux ni si malheureux qu'on s'imagine.

    Permalink to quote #19

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