Notre repentir n'est pas tant un regret du mal que nous avons fait, qu'une crainte de celui qui nous en peut arriver.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- People repent not because they regret the evil done, but because they fear future consequences.
- In plain terms
- We regret bad deeds mostly because we fear the results.
- What can you take from it?
- Fear of punishment often drives regret more than moral guilt.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do you regret the act or the punishment?
- Is your change of heart lasting?
Another view
Some people genuinely feel moral remorse without fear of consequence.
More from Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Il vaut mieux employer notre esprit a supporter les infortunes qui nous arrivent qu'a prevoir celles qui nous peuvent arriver.
Permalink to quote #52 Il n'appartient qu'aux grands hommes d'avoir de grands defauts.
Permalink to quote #54 Il est plus facile de paraitre digne des emplois qu'on n'a pas que de ceux que l'on exerce.
Permalink to quote #51
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