Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux

The wisest man is generally he who thinks himself the least so.

The wisest man is generally he who thinks himself the least so.

Truth has not such an urgent air.
[Fr., La verite n'a point cet air impetueux.]

Truth has not such an urgent air.
[Fr., La verite n'a point cet air impetueux.]

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.]

He [Moliere] pleases every one but can not please himself.
[Fr., Il plait a tout le monde et ne read more

He [Moliere] pleases every one but can not please himself.
[Fr., Il plait a tout le monde et ne saurait se plaire.]

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.]