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dee9401's review against another edition
3.0
This was an impulse buy based on my love for Oxford World's Classics paperbacks. I hadn't heard of the author before, but after a few quick peeks around the 'net, I found it interesting. I'm glad to have read the book and it's neat that it's a dual-language edition, with the original French on the left and a new English translation on the right. It lets me try to practice my French and also enjoy the translation process.
As for the work itself, there were several maxims I really liked. I list some below. I also enjoyed several of his Miscellaneous Reflections (Réflexions diverses), first completely translated in this volume. His reflections on Conversation (RD #4) was the best, an early example of the art of listening and interacting with people rather than pontificating at them and waiting to speak.
As for the work itself, there were several maxims I really liked. I list some below. I also enjoyed several of his Miscellaneous Reflections (Réflexions diverses), first completely translated in this volume. His reflections on Conversation (RD #4) was the best, an early example of the art of listening and interacting with people rather than pontificating at them and waiting to speak.
“If we had no faults, we would not derive so much pleasure from noting those of other people” (#31).
“We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves from other people, that in the end we disguise ourselves from ourselves” (#119).
“We often do good so that we can do evil with impunity” (#121).
“The glory of great men should always be measured against the means they used to acquire it” (#157).
“When our hatred is too intense, it puts us on a lower level than those we hate” (#338).
“Average minds usually condemn whatever is beyond their grasp” (#375).
“Most friends make us lose our taste for friendship, and most pious people make us lose our taste for piety” (#427).
“We try to pride ourselves on the faults that we do not want to correct” (#442).
“Our enemies’ judgements of us are nearer the truth than our own” (#458).
“When you cannot find peace within yourself, it is useless to look for it elsewhere” (withdrawn after 2nd ed. #49)
smj_phie's review against another edition
4.0
I can't honestly say why this took me so long, but it definitely is not due to the books quality.
La Rochefoucauld's writings paint a vivid picture of 17th century France, especially his essay-like paragraphs in the later parts of this collection.
For me the parts focusing on French history, him being a contemporary of Dumas' Musketeers, made me engage even more towards the end.
I recommend for everyone enjoying precise and witty comments à la Wilde (for a more contemporary reference point) or interested in first-hand French history.
Very well done, I appreciate the two language format (one page French, one English) - and the cover ... <3
La Rochefoucauld's writings paint a vivid picture of 17th century France, especially his essay-like paragraphs in the later parts of this collection.
For me the parts focusing on French history, him being a contemporary of Dumas' Musketeers, made me engage even more towards the end.
I recommend for everyone enjoying precise and witty comments à la Wilde (for a more contemporary reference point) or interested in first-hand French history.
Very well done, I appreciate the two language format (one page French, one English) - and the cover ... <3
smj's review
4.0
I can't honestly say why this took me so long, but it definitely is not due to the books quality.
La Rochefoucauld's writings paint a vivid picture of 17th century France, especially his essay-like paragraphs in the later parts of this collection.
For me the parts focusing on French history, him being a contemporary of Dumas' Musketeers, made me engage even more towards the end.
I recommend for everyone enjoying precise and witty comments à la Wilde (for a more contemporary reference point) or interested in first-hand French history.
Very well done, I appreciate the two language format (one page French, one English) - and the cover ... <3
La Rochefoucauld's writings paint a vivid picture of 17th century France, especially his essay-like paragraphs in the later parts of this collection.
For me the parts focusing on French history, him being a contemporary of Dumas' Musketeers, made me engage even more towards the end.
I recommend for everyone enjoying precise and witty comments à la Wilde (for a more contemporary reference point) or interested in first-hand French history.
Very well done, I appreciate the two language format (one page French, one English) - and the cover ... <3
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