Jean de La Fontaine
Jean de La Fontaine
Jean de La Fontainewas the most famous French fabulist and one of the most widely read French poets of the 17th century. He is known above all for his Fables, which provided a model for subsequent fabulists across Europe and numerous alternative versions in France, and in French regional languages...
NationalityFrench
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth8 July 1621
CountryFrance
Jean de La Fontaine quotes about
buried emperor beggar
Better a living beggar than a buried emperor.
glory
No flowery road leads to glory. [Fr., Aucun chemin de fleurs ne conduit a la gloire.]
folly alas
Alas! we see that the small have always suffered for the follies of the great. [Fr., Helas! on voit que de tout temps Les Petits ont pati des sottises des grands.]
exercise men age
Men of all ages have the same inclinations, over which reason exercises no control. Thus, wherever men are found, there are follies, ay, and the same follies.
wise ignorance ignorant
Nothing is so dangerous as an ignorant friend; a wise enemy is worth more. [Fr., Rien n'est si dangereux qu'un ignorant ami; Mieux vaudrait un sage ennemi.]
dream reality men
Every one turns his dreams into realities as far as he can; man is cold as ice to the truth, hot as fire to falsehood.
car deceit deceiving
It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver. [Fr., Car c'est double plaisir de tromper le trompeur.]
complaining jupiter should
Our condition never satisfies us; the present is always the worst. Though Jupiter should grant his request to each, we should continue to importune him.
change blow fonts
Neither blows from pitchfork, nor from the lash, can make him change his ways. [Fr., Coups de fourches ni d'etriveres, Ne lui font changer de manieres.]
worst-times worst
The worst time is always the present.
break
I bend, but I do not break.
We are never content with our lot.