The classic collection of wise phrases and advisory maxims by Rochefoucauld is published here in hardcover, complete with annotations. Originally written in the aftermath of decades spent in the lively and politically charged French court, Rochefoucauld had honed his wit and wisdom through having lived among and dealt with people. Admired in France for his shrewd conduct and opinions, Rochefoucauld neither praised humanity for its achievements and virtues nor condemned it for its flaws, excess pride and sins. His famous Reflections encapsulate an attitude cultivated by experience at a time of intellectual awakening in France. Rochefoucauld's even-handed nature receives due prominence in this book: his maxims are pithy and incisive, witty and occasionally profound. Something of a progenitor to Oscar Wilde for his sharp brevity, Rochefoucauld nevertheless carefully pruned and edited his maxims during his lifetime, while a few were added by admirers posthumously.

Cette uvre (edition relie) fait partie de la serie TREDITION CLASSICS. La maison d'edition tredition, basee a Hambourg, a publie dans la serie TREDITION CLASSICS des ouvrages anciens de plus de deux millenaires. Ils etaient pour la plupart epuises ou uniquement disponible chez les bouquinistes. La serie est destinee a preserver la litterature et a promouvoir la culture. Avec sa serie TREDITION CLASSICS, tredition a comme but de mettre a disposition des milliers de classiques de la litterature mondiale dans differentes langues et de les diffuser dans le monde entier.