Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux Quotes

Whatever we conceive well we express clearly, and words flow with ease. [Fr., Ce que l'on concoit bien s'enonce clairement, Et les mots pour le dire arrivent aisement.]

A fool always finds one still more foolish to admire him.

Of all the animals which fly in the air, walk on the land, or swim in the sea, from Paris to Peru, from Japan to Rome, the most foolish animal in my opinion is man.

Hasten slowly, and without losing heart, put your work twenty times upon the anvil. [Fr., Hatez-vous lentement; et, sans perdre courage, Vingt fois sur le metier remettez votre ouvrage.]

The world is full of fools; and he who would not wish to see one, must not only shut himself up alone, but must also break his looking-glass.

Who lives content with little possesses everything.

Attach yourself to those who advise you rather than praise you.

Whate'er is well conceived is clearly said, And the words to say it flow with ease.

Who is content with nothing possesses all things.

When we envy another, we make their virtue our vice.

At times truth may not seem probable.

Every age has its pleasures, its style of wit, and its own ways.

Ignorance is always ready to admire itself. Procure yourself critical friends.

Bring your work back to the workshop twenty times. Polish it continuously, and polish it again.

Truth has not such an urgent air.

That which is repeated too often becomes insipid and tedious.

A fop sometimes gives important advice.

Often the fear on one evil leads us into a worse.

In spite of every sage whom Greece can show, Unerring wisdom never dwelt below; Folly in all of every age we see, The only difference lies in the degree.

Nothing is really beautiful but truth, and truth alone is lovely.

However big the fool, there is always a bigger fool to admire him.

Happy who in his verse can gently steer, From grave to light, from pleasant to severe.

Honor is like an island, rugged and without shores; we can never re-enter it once we are on the outside. [Fr., L'honneur est comme une ile escarpee et sans bords; On n'y peut plus rentrer des qu'on en est dehors.]

Nature always springs to the surface and manages to show what she is. It is vain to stop or try to drive her back. She breaks through every obstacle, pushes forward, and at last makes for herself a way.

Time flies and draws us with it. The moment in which I am speaking is already far from me.