French writer François, the sixth Duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680) was born on this day in Paris to a wealthy and noble family. The eldest of 14 children, François grew up in the country and entered military service while still a teenager.

"We refuse praise from a desire to be praised twice," he observed, in one of his many illuminating truths.

As a soldier and trusted member of the aristocracy, La Rochefoucauld lived a full life of wealth, pleasure, espionage, and exile. In 1656, he retired from politics and passionately pursued writing.

He once said, “A true friend is the greatest of all blessings, and that which we take the least care of all to acquire.”

He was best known for writing Maxims, a classic collection of quotations that examined human behavior and self-love. His reflections cut to the core with a clarity that remains relevant across centuries.

Like an early psychologist, he examined motivation and turned his perceptions into lasting ideas. His voice could be sharp, even cynical, but it came from a place of hard-earned observation. There was compassion beneath the critique, a tough love rooted in the belief that knowing ourselves is the first step toward growing wiser.

“We confess to small faults,” he said, “to create the impression that we have no great ones.”

In distilling human nature, La Rochefoucauld honored the fullness of kokoro—the balance of head, heart, and soul—and offered generations a mirror to look inward with honesty and, perhaps, a spark of transformation.