Date of Birth: September 15, 1613
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Date of Death: March 17, 1680
Biography
François de La Rochefoucauld, born François VI, Duc de La Rochefoucauld, was a notable French writer, aristocrat, and moralist. He is best known for his maxims and memoirs, which offer a penetrating insight into human nature and the complexities of the social and political life of 17th-century France. Born into a noble family, he was initially groomed for a military and court career but later turned to literature due to political upheavals and personal disillusionments. La Rochefoucauld was born in Paris and was educated at home. He joined the army at a young age and fought in several campaigns. His involvement in the Fronde, a series of civil wars in France, led to his temporary exile. Upon his return to Paris, he became a prominent figure in literary salons, where he developed his talent for aphorisms and maxims. His major work, “Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales” (Reflections or Sentences and Moral Maxims), published in 1665, established his reputation as a keen observer of the human condition. This collection of maxims is characterized by its cynical and sometimes pessimistic view of human motives, emphasizing self-interest and vanity as driving forces.
5 Interesting Facts about Francois de La Rochefoucauld
1. François de La Rochefoucauld was a key figure in the Fronde, a series of civil wars in France between 1648 and 1653.
2. His maxims are still widely quoted today and have influenced numerous writers and philosophers.
3. La Rochefoucauld was a close friend of Madame de La Fayette, author of “La Princesse de Clèves.”
4. He suffered a severe injury during the Fronde, which left him partially blind for the rest of his life.
5. La Rochefoucauld’s works were not only popular in France but also translated into several languages, extending his influence across Europe.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Francois de La Rochefoucauld
1. “We are more interested in making others believe we are happy than in trying to be happy ourselves.”
2. “Our virtues are most frequently but vices in disguise.”
3. “The only thing constant in life is change.”
4. “The height of cleverness is being able to conceal it.”
5. “True love is like ghosts, which everyone talks about and few have seen.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
While historical records do not provide precise figures for François de La Rochefoucauld’s net worth, it is known that he came from an affluent noble family, allowing him a life of relative luxury and the means to focus on his literary pursuits.
Children
François de La Rochefoucauld had eight children with his wife, Andrée de Vivonne. Among them, his son François VII, Duc de La Rochefoucauld, continued the family lineage.
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