The principal objective of this study is to elucidate La Rochefoucauld's
concept of truth. This idea will be examined through close textual
analysis of both the Maximes and Reflexions diverses. Although the
Maximes have attracted considerable critical attention over the years,
the Reflexions diverses have been thoroughly explored by only a few
specialists, most recently by Jean Lafond. Modern criticism of la
Rochefoucauld has focused on many issues, but no one has yet attempted
to study his sometimes-enigmatic pronouncements concerning truth and the
extraordinary lengths to which human beings are willing to go to
disguise truth form others and especially form themselves.