Jean de La Fontaine Quotes - Page 6

I bend and do not break.

The strongest passion is fear.

Imitators are a slavish herd and fools in my opinion.

Still people are dangerous.

Let ignorance talk as it will, learning has its value.

A mountain in labour shouted so loud that everyone, summoned by the noise, ran up expecting that she would be delivered of a city bigger than Paris; she brought forth a mouse.

Le geai pare des plumes du paon. A bluejay in peacock feathers.

Un auteur ga" te tout quand il veut trop bien faire. An author spoils everything when he wants too much to do good.

Too many expedients may spoil an affair. [Fr., Le trop d'expedients peut gater une affaire.]

Alas! we see that the small have always suffered for the follies of the great. [Fr., Helas! on voit que de tout temps Les Petits ont pati des sottises des grands.]

What is denominated discretion in man we call cunning in brutes.

The fastidious are unfortunate; nothing satisfies them.

Even if misfortune is only good for bringing a fool to his senses, it would still be just to deem it good for something.

Neither blows from pitchfork, nor from the lash, can make him change his ways. [Fr., Coups de fourches ni d'etriveres, Ne lui font changer de manieres.]

Is not moderation an old refrain Ringing in our ears? from which we all refrain.

Nothing is as dangerous as an ignorant friend; a wise enemy is to be preferred.

Every journalist owes tribute to the evil one.

Such gluttony second to none Almost ended fatally When a bone choked a wolf as he gulped what he ate

Habit, to which all of us are more or less slaves.

Foxes are all tail, and women all tongue.

The ruins of a house may be repaired; why cannot those of the face?

A hare is not caught with a drum.

Learn that every flatterer Lives at the flattered listeners cost.

No flowery road leads to glory. [Fr., Aucun chemin de fleurs ne conduit a la gloire.]

La raison du plus fort est toujours la meilleure. The reason of the strongest is always the best.