It is a mighty error to ...

It is a mighty error to suppose that none but violent and strong passions, such as love and ambition, are able to vanquish the rest. Even idleness, as feeble and languishing as it is, sometimes reigns over them; it usurps the throne and sits paramount over all the designs and actions of our lives, and imperceptibly wastes and destroys all our passions and all our virtues.
It is a mighty error to suppose that none but violent and strong passions, such as love and ambition, are able to vanquish the rest. Even idleness, as feeble and languishing as it is, sometimes reigns over them; it usurps the throne and sits paramount over all the designs and actions of our lives, and imperceptibly wastes and destroys all our passions and all our virtues.
 François de La Rochefoucauld

Quotes from the same author

A true friend is the greatest of all blessings, and that which we take the least care of all to acquire.
 See image
 François de La Rochefoucauld
In friendship as well as love, ignorance very often contributes more to our happiness than knowledge.
 See image
 François de La Rochefoucauld
A true friend is the most precious of all possessions and the one we take the least thought about acquiring.
 See image
 François de La Rochefoucauld
He is a truly virtuous man who wishes always to be open to the observation of honest men.
 See image
 François de La Rochefoucauld
There are no events so disastrous that adroit men do not draw some advantage from them, nor any so fortunate that the imprudent cannot turn to their own prejudice.
 See image
 François de La Rochefoucauld