Virtue would not go to such lengths if vanity did not keep her company

Virtue would not go to such lengths if vanity did not keep her company

Francois de La Rochefoucauld was a French author and moralist known for his sharp wit and keen observations on human nature. One of his most famous quotes is, “Virtue would not go to such lengths if vanity did not keep her company.” This quote speaks to the complex relationship between virtue and vanity, suggesting that the pursuit of virtue is often motivated by a desire for recognition or self-aggrandizement.