Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux quotes

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux was a French poet and critic, renowned for his influence on classical literature. His writings set standards for literary taste and shaped the principles of French neoclassicism. He championed clarity, order, and reason in literature. Here are 33 of his quotes:

The terrible burden of having nothing to do. (Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux)

However big the fool, there is always a bigger fool to admire him.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

A fool always finds one still more foolish to admire him.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

Time flies and draws us with it. The moment in which I am speaking is already far from me.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

Gold gives an appearance of beauty even to ugliness: But with poverty everything becomes frightful.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

Whatever is well conceived is clearly said, And the words to say it flow with ease.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

In spite of every sage whom Greece can show, Unerring wisdom never dwelt below; Folly in all of every age we see, The only difference lies in the degree.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

Honor is like an island, rugged and without a beach; once we have left it, we can never return.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

Virtue alone is the unerring sign of a noble soul.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

Every age has its pleasures, its style of wit, and its own ways.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

If your descent is from heroic sires,
Show in your life a remnant of their fires. (Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux)

Nothing but truth is lovely, nothing fair.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

Often the fear of one evil leads us into a worse.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

Truth has not such an urgent air.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

A fop sometimes gives important advice.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

He (Molière) pleases all the world, but cannot please himself.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

Greatest fools are oft most satisfied.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

Of all the creatures that creep, swim, or fly, Peopling the earth, the waters, and the sky, From Rome to Iceland, Paris to Japan, I really think the greatest fool is man.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

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

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

Now two punctilious envoys, Thine and Mine, Embroil the earth about a fancied line; And, dwelling much on right and much on wrong, Prove how the right is chiefly with the strong.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

The world is full of fools; and he who would not wish to see one, must not only shut himself up alone, but must also break his looking-glass. (Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux)

There, take," says Justice, "take ye each a shell; We thrive at Westminster on fools like you. 'T was a fat oyster! live in peace,-adieu.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

The wisest man is he who is certain he is not.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

But satire, ever moral, ever new, Delights the reader and instructs him, too. She, if good sense refine her sterling page, Oft shakes some rooted folly of the age.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

Trouble rides behind and gallops with him.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

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Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

Occupation: French Poet
Born: November 1, 1636
Died: March 13, 1711
Quotes count: 33
Wikipedia: Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

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