Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux ( 10 of 24 )
The wisest man is generally he who thinks himself the least so.
The wisest man is generally he who thinks himself the least so.
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?]
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.]
No one is satisfied with his fortune, nor dissatisfied with his
intellect.
[Fr., Nul n'est content de sa read more
No one is satisfied with his fortune, nor dissatisfied with his
intellect.
[Fr., Nul n'est content de sa fortune;
Ni mecontent de son esprit.]
Virtue alone is the unerring sign of a noble soul.
[Fr., La vertu d'un coeur noble est la marque read more
Virtue alone is the unerring sign of a noble soul.
[Fr., La vertu d'un coeur noble est la marque certaine.]
A fop sometimes gives important advice.
[Fr., Un fat quelquefois ouvre un avis important.]
A fop sometimes gives important advice.
[Fr., Un fat quelquefois ouvre un avis important.]
Trouble rides behind and gallops with him.
[Fr., Le chagrin monte en croupe et galope avec lui.]
Trouble rides behind and gallops with him.
[Fr., Le chagrin monte en croupe et galope avec lui.]
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.]
Every age has its pleasures, its style of wit, and its own ways.
Every age has its pleasures, its style of wit, and its own ways.
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.]
