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About this quote

What does it mean?
Distrusting friends is more shameful than being deceived by them.
In plain terms
It is worse to doubt friends than to be fooled by them.
What can you take from it?
Trust is more important than avoiding betrayal.

Where it applies

  • friendship conflicts
  • relationship building
  • trust issues

Putting it to work

  • build trust
  • avoid paranoia
  • value loyalty

Questions to consider

  • Why do you distrust friends?
  • Is trust worth the risk?

Another view

Some betrayal warrants distrust.

More from Francois de La Rochefoucauld

  1. Ce que les hommes ont nomme amitie n'est qu'une societe, qu'un menagement reciproque d'interets, et qu'un echange de bons offices; ce n'est enfin qu'un commerc…

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  2. Tout le monde se plaint de sa memoire, et personne ne se plaint de son jugement.

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  3. Le silence est le parti le plus sur de celui qui se defie de soi-meme.

    Permalink to quote #30

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