Nous n'avouons de petits defauts que pour persuader que nous n'en avons pas de grands.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- People admit small faults to convince others they have no major ones.
- In plain terms
- Confessing minor flaws hides bigger character issues.
- What can you take from it?
- Strategic self-criticism is a tool for reputation management.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why admit small faults openly?
- Can you trust confessions of minor errors?
Another view
Some people do admit faults honestly without hidden agendas.
More from Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Il y a dans la jalousie plus d'amour-propre que d'amour.
Permalink to quote #80 On pardonne tant que l'on aime.
Permalink to quote #82 Ce n'est pas un grand malheur d'obliger des ingrats, mais c'en est un insupportable d'etre oblige a un malhonnete homme.
Permalink to quote #79
Related quotes
Candid, and generous, and just, Boys care but little whom they trust, An error soon corrected- For who but learns in riper years That man, when smoothest he ap…
William CowperWilliam Cowper quote #8 Barring that natural expression of villainy which we all have, the man looked honest enough.
Mark TwainMark Twain quote #12 The moment a man talks to his fellows he begins to lie.
Hilaire BellocHilaire Belloc quote #14