Collected Maxims and Other Reflections (Oxford World's Classics)

I dont think ill ever forget some of the excerpts in this book.

Review of "Collected Maxims and Other Reflections" by La Rochefoucuald (translated with an introduction and notes by E.H. and A.M. Blackmore and Francine Giguere). Francois de La Rochefoucauld was a member of a prominent French aristocratic family born in Paris in 1613. He participated in military life and supported the interests of the French aristocracy. His Collected Maxims were revised and the authorized version appeared in 1678. La Rochefoucauld died in Paris in 1680. Many further maxims and essays (now known as the "Miscellaneous Reflections") were published posthumously from his manuscripts. This Oxford World's Classics edition of Collected Maxims provides the fullest collection of his writings and the first complete translation of the "Miscellaneous Reflections." In addition the text includes an in-depth introduction, text notes, bibliography chronology, explanatory notes, and an index of topics. La Rochefoucauld's themes visited within his Maxims are self-love, vice and virtue, love and jealousy, friendship and self-interest, and passion and pride (among others). Collected Maxims provides a window into the thought of 17th Century French Court as relevant today as when initially penned. Five stars without hesitation!

This book contains truths about us that very few are willing to admit. These consist mostly of one-line statements that, if the reader allows his brain to reflect on the thought in the maxims, the truth of it can't be denied. Some maxims are longer and, all tolled, there are 504. The maxims also are presented in French, as well. My copy was not packed at all, just thrown in an envelope, which allowed a corner to be badly bent.

In 1664 French aristocrat François de La Rochefoucauld released his famed maxims that were widely read at the time and influenced other thinkers and philosophers in subsequent centuries. This Oxford World's Classics collection contains the author's published and unpublished maxims, his observations on other topics, and a good introduction to the material.La Rochefoucauld's theme to which he continually returns is that people more often than not make decisions based on self-love, an assertion that presages Nietzsche's concept of will to power. The maxims read much like proverbs and La Rochefoucauld touches on envy, self-control (and the lack thereof), fortune, wisdom and prudence, regret, friendship, love, happiness and unhappiness, passion and moderation, good taste and bad taste, tact, and other facets of life, suggesting that much if not most human behavior is deterministic. He closes with a portrait of himself.The introduction states that these maxims are too painful to read. While the reader will likely find some of the maxims cross the line between realism and cynicism, reading this collection would only be painful perhaps to the naïve. Those who are clear-eyed, though, can receive valid criticism which is meant to help one better oneself as opposed to invalid criticism that is simply meant to manipulate one into succumbing to the selfishness of others.

The editors/translators have given us a first rate edition of a remarkable text for an unbelievable price. This reads like a critical edition. The editors have gone back to original editions, compared them, and made judicious selections on that basis, producing the most complete edition of these maxims in English. The translation is a strong one and not intrusive in any way. One may prefer another, I suppose, but I found little lacking. I also found the Introduction very helpful and the notes useful although optional, which allows a reader to proceed in as scholarly a manner as s/he sees fit. Rochefoucaud's wit and insight are leading examples of aphoristic thought. He is a brilliant moral psychologist and an elegant and economical stylist. Aspects of his thought remain dated, of course, e.g. his remarks on women and his obliviousness to class privilege, but the text offers so much more than those failings that it fully deserves the label "World Classic."

Rochefoucauld could make an eloquent and witty point about human nature with fewer words than I would take to tell you my name. It is worth flipping through, but take the time to enjoy each one. It's almost like language candy.

Very interesting.

Accurate translation in concise, lapidary language

My book arrived quickly and exactly as described.

Reliable English translation with facing French text. Excellent scholarly introduction which discusses the question: la Rochefoucauld, libertine or Augustinian / Jansenist? The revisions and additions of later editions included. A helpful index. One of the better editions for English-speaking readers.

Charlie Munger says of making friends with eminent dead to learn from them. If there are people like that, Rochefoucauld will be leading the pack of such people.Reflecting on the maxims not just reading it, maximizes the benefit of aphorisms.

Great product cheap price

Notes are great, translation is solid, biblio, etc., is good. Great school edition. For reading, it's a bit hard on the eyes -- small print and a lot of aphorisms per page.