François Duc De La RochefoucauldFrench writer and moralist François, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680) is renowned for his important contributions to literature and philosophical thinking in France. La Rochefoucauld, who was raised in an aristocratic family and first sought a miltary career, subsequently became engaged in politics at the French court. But he is most known for his literary creations, especially the well-known collection of moral maxims known as "Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims." The maxims of La Rochefoucauld are famous for their sharpness and psychological understanding of human motives and behavior. He examines the intricacies of human nature in his works, touching on issues like love, self-interest, vanity, and hypocrisy. His insights often refute conventional moral precepts by exposing the covert selfishness and underlying motivations of human behavior. La Rochefoucauld was a master of succinct, thought-provoking words, and his maxims are still relevant to readers of all ages. The legacy of La Rochefoucauld goes beyond his written works. His theories have had a long-lasting influence on moral philosophy, psychology, and social theory, motivating other philosophers and authors to investigate the complexity of human nature and the function of self-interest in human conduct. Read More Read Less