François de La Rochefoucauld (writer)
A 17th-century French duke who dissected human vanity and self-interest in a collection of razor-sharp, cynical maxims.
1613–1680 (age 67)·French author of maxims and memoirs·Birthday: September 15
Biography
François de La Rochefoucauld lived a life of violent political intrigue before becoming literature's supreme anatomist of the human heart. Born into one of France's most distinguished families, he was plunged into the chaos of the Fronde, a series of civil wars, where he fought for the rebellious aristocracy and was seriously wounded. This experience of betrayal, ambition, and the gap between public virtue and private motive shaped his worldview. Retiring from active politics, he became a fixture in the sophisticated salons of Paris. There, he distilled his observations into his masterpiece, 'Maxims'—a series of brief, polished statements that stripped away illusions about love, friendship, and honor. With phrases like 'We all have strength enough to endure the misfortunes of others,' he presented a vision of humanity driven largely by self-love and pride, a work whose psychological insight feels startlingly modern centuries later.
#1 When François Was Born
The biggest hits of 1613
François's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1613Born
1618Started school
1626Became a teenager
1629Could drive
1631Could vote
1634Turned 21
1643Turned 30
1653Turned 40
1663Turned 50
1673Turned 60
1680Died at 67
Key Achievements
- Authored 'Maxims' (1665), a seminal work of French classical literature and moral philosophy.
- His 'Memoirs' provide a crucial first-hand account of the turbulent Fronde uprisings.
- Was a central figure in the literary salon of the Marquise de Sablé, where his maxims were refined.
- His work profoundly influenced later writers from Nietzsche to Oscar Wilde.
Did You Know?
He was partially blinded for several years after being shot in the eye during a battle in 1652.
For much of his life, he suffered from severe gout.
The original 1665 edition of his 'Maxims' contained just 316 entries; the final posthumous edition had 504.
He was a close friend of the celebrated letter-writer Madame de Sévigné.
“We all have strength enough to endure the misfortunes of others.”
