François VI, Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Prince de Marcillac (15 September 1613 – 17 March 1680) an accomplished French moralist of the era of French Classical literature and author of Maximes and Memoirs, the only two works of his dense literary œuvre published. His Maximes portray the callous nature of human conduct, with a cynical attitude towards putative virtue and avowals of affection, friendship, love, and loyalty.