Submission vs Guidance
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Maxims

It is argued that a disciplined mind finds it easier to follow authority than to attempt the difficult task of managing an undisciplined one.

A well-trained mind has less difficulty in submitting to than in guiding an ill-trained mind.
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Habit's Mental Bounds
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Maxims

The mind's tendency toward habit and ease is seen as a limitation that prevents individuals from ever reaching the full potential of their intellectual capacities.

The mind attaches itself by idleness and habit to whatever is easy or pleasant. This habit always places bounds to our knowledge, and no one has ever yet taken the pains to enlarge and expand his mind to the full extent of its capacities.
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Penetration's Overshoot
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Maxims

The author warns that the greatest error in judgment is not failing to see enough, but over-interpreting and seeing things that are not there.

The greatest mistake of penetration is not to have fallen short, but to have gone too far.
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Divination's Vanity Spice
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Maxims

The author describes the intellectual thrill of insight as a form of vanity, where the ability to perceive hidden truths feels like a divine power.

Penetration has a spice of divination in it which tickles our vanity more than any other quality of the mind.
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The Economy of Words
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Maxims

The author contrasts intellectual depth with superficiality, noting that great minds communicate much with little, while lesser minds use excessive words to convey nothing.

As it is the mark of great minds to say many things in a few words, so it is that of little minds to use many words to say nothing.
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