Quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld
We are never so ridiculous by the qualities we have, as by those we affect to have.
Summary
This quote implies that the qualities we pretend to possess can make us appear more foolish than the genuine qualities we actually possess. It suggests that hypocrisy and attempts to feign certain virtues or abilities often reveal our insecurities and lack of authenticity. By being true to oneself and embracing one's true qualities, we avoid the risk of appearing ridiculous through artificiality and pretentiousness.