The hate of favourites is ...

The hate of favourites is only a love of favour. The envy of NOT possessing it, consoles and softens its regrets by the contempt it evinces for those who possess it, and we refuse them our homage, not being able to detract from them what attracts that of the rest of the world.
The hate of favourites is only a love of favour. The envy of NOT possessing it, consoles and softens its regrets by the contempt it evinces for those who possess it, and we refuse them our homage, not being able to detract from them what attracts that of the rest of the world.
 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.
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 François de La Rochefoucauld
In friendship as well as love, ignorance very often contributes more to our happiness than knowledge.
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 François de La Rochefoucauld
A true friend is the most precious of all possessions and the one we take the least thought about acquiring.
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 François de La Rochefoucauld
He is a truly virtuous man who wishes always to be open to the observation of honest men.
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 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.
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 François de La Rochefoucauld