deceived, is to think one's self
sharper than others.

The plain-spoken proverb, "A man that is his own lawyer, has a fool for
his client," finds a more polished expression in the following:--

No. 132. It is easier to be wise for others, than to be so for
one's self.

How pitilessly this inquisitor pursues his prey, "the human soul, into
all its useless hiding-places!--

No. 138. We would rather speak ill of ourselves, than not talk of
ourselves.

The following maxim, longer and less felicitously phrased than is usual
with La Rochefoucauld, recalls that bitter definition of the bore,--"One
who insists on talking about himself all the time that you are wishing
to talk about yourself:"--

No. 139. One of the causes why we find so few people who appear
reasonable and agreeable in conversation, is, that there is
scarcely any one who does not think more of what he wishes to say,
than of replying exactly to what is said to him. The cleverest and
the most compliant think it enough to show an attentive air; while
we see in their eyes and in their mind a wandering from what is
said to them, and a hurry to return to what they wish to say,
instead of considering that it is a bad way to please or to
persuade others, to try so hard to please one's self, and that to
listen well is one of the greatest accomplishments we can have in
conversation.

If we are indignant at the maxims following, it is probably rather
because they are partly true than, because they are wholly false:--

No. 144. We are not fond of praising, and, without interest, we
never praise any one. Praise is a cunning flattery, hidden and
delicate, which, in different ways, pleases him who gives and him
who receives it. The one takes it as a reward for his merit: the
other gives it to show his equity and his discernment.

No. 146. We praise generally only to be praised.

No. 147. Few are wise enough to prefer wholesome blame to
treacherous praise.

No. 149. Disclaiming praise is a wish to be praised a second time.

No. 152. If we did not flatter ourselves, the flattery of others
could not hurt us.

No. 184. We acknowledge our faults in order to atone, by our
sincerity, for the harm they do us in the minds of others.

No. 199. The desire to appear able often prevents our becoming so.

No. 201. Who