We try to make virtues of the faults we do not wish to correct.
[Nous essayons de nous faire honneur des défauts que nous ne voulons pas corriger.]
François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French epigrammatist, memoirist, noble
Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶442 (1665-1678) [tr. Kronenberger (1959)]
(Source)
First appeared in the 5th (1678) edition.
(Source (French)). Other translations:We attempt to Vindicate, and value our selves upon those Faults we have no design to mend.
[tr. Stanhope (1694), ¶2.30; (1706 ed.), ¶442]We endeavour to get reputation by those faults we determine not to amend.
[pub. Donaldson (1783), ¶138; ed. Carvill (1835), ¶122]We endeavor to make a merit of faults that we are unwilling to correct.
[ed. Gowens (1851), ¶467]We try to make a virtue of vices we are loth to correct.
[tr. Bund/Friswell (1871), ¶442]We boast the faults we are unwilling to correct.
[tr. Heard (1917), ¶464]We endeavour to take pride in faults that we would rather not correct.
[tr. Stevens (1939), ¶442]We try to glory in those failings which we are unwilling to correct.
[tr. FitzGibbon (1957), ¶442]We try to make virtues out of the faults we have no wish to correct.
[tr. Tancock (1959), ¶442]We try to make a merit of those of our faults which we do not wish to correct.
[tr. Whichello (2016) ¶442]


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