Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux

I can call nothing by name if that is not his name. I call a cat
a cat, and read more

I can call nothing by name if that is not his name. I call a cat
a cat, and Rollet a rogue.
[Fr., Je ne puis rien nommer si ce n'est par son nom;
J'appelle un chat un chat, et Rollet un fripon.]

Hasten slowly, and without losing heart, put your work twenty
times upon the anvil.
[Fr., Hatez-vous lentement; et, read more

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.]

Honor is like an island, rugged and without shores; we can never
re-enter it once we are on the read more

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.]

Happy the poet who with ease can steer
From grave to gay, from lively to severe.
[Lat., read more

Happy the poet who with ease can steer
From grave to gay, from lively to severe.
[Lat., Heureux qui, dans ses vers, sait d'une voix legere
Passer du grave au doux, du plaisant au severe.]

A warmed-up dinner was never worth much.
[Fr., Un diner rechauffe ne valut jamais rien.]

A warmed-up dinner was never worth much.
[Fr., Un diner rechauffe ne valut jamais rien.]