Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
The Maxims of François, duc de La Rochefoucauld, first published in 1665 and revised through five editions, are a few hundred short sentences on human conduct that have never gone out of print. A soldier and courtier who had been on the losing side in the civil wars of the Fronde, La Rochefoucauld retired to the salons of Paris and distilled his disillusion into observations such as the one that our virtues are most often only vices in disguise. Self-love, vanity, the uses of hypocrisy, the limits of friendship and the comedy of self-deception are his constant subjects. This edition, translated by J. W. Willis Bund and J. Hain Friswell, includes the Reflections and a selection of the author's letters and shorter writings. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
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Frequently asked questions about Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims by François duc de La Rochefoucauld can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims online?
Yes. Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims in the public domain?
Yes. Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims by François duc de La Rochefoucauld is a public-domain work, here in the translation by J. Hain Friswell and J. W. Willis Bund. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims?
About 2 h 22 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims?
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims by François duc de La Rochefoucauld is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
