Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux

A fool always finds a greater fool to admire him.

A fool always finds a greater fool to admire him.

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.]

Can such bitterness enter into the heart of the devout?
[Fr., Tant de fiel entre-t-il dans l'ame des devots?]

Can such bitterness enter into the heart of the devout?
[Fr., Tant de fiel entre-t-il dans l'ame des devots?]

That which is repeated too often becomes insipid and tedious.
[Fr., Tout ce qu'on dit de trop est fade read more

That which is repeated too often becomes insipid and tedious.
[Fr., Tout ce qu'on dit de trop est fade et rebutant.]

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.]