Marie de France quotes

Marie de France was a medieval poet widely recognized as one of the earliest known female writers in French literature. Her most famous works are the "Lais," a collection of narrative poems blending romance and adventure. She greatly influenced European storytelling and the tradition of courtly love literature. Here are 30 of her quotes:

If one of two lovers is loyal, and the other jealous and false, how may their friendship last, for Love is slain!

Marie de France

The fool shouts loudly, thinking to impress the world.

Marie de France

Out of five hundred who speak glibly of love, not one can spell the first letter of his name.

Marie de France

By men's words we know them.

Marie de France

Being too consumed in fear all the time will result in poor quality of life.

Marie de France

Desire can blind us to the hazards of our enterprises.

Marie de France

Whoever believes in a man is very foolish.

Marie de France

I love no woman, for love is a serious business, not a jest.

Marie de France

Be sure that you speak with unfeigned lips.

Marie de France

Fairest and dearest, your wrath and anger are more heavy than I can bear; but learn that I cannot tell what you wish me to say without sinning against my honour too grievously.

Marie de France

Love is not honourable, unless it is based on equality.

Marie de France

Anyone who intends to present a new story must approach the problem in a new way and speak so persuasively that the tale brings pleasure to people.

Marie de France

Man created God in his image: intolerant, sexist, homophobic and violent.

Marie de France

You have to endure what you can't change.

Marie de France

For above all things Love means sweetness, and truth, and measure; yea, loyalty to the loved one and to your word. And because of this I dare not meddle with so high a matter.

Marie de France

There are divers men who make a great show of loyalty, and pretend to such discretion in the hidden things they hear, that at the end folk come to put faith in them.

Marie de France

We love what we should scorn if we were wiser.

Marie de France

The rich are never threatened by the poor - they do not notice them.

Marie de France

Whoever wants to tell a variety of stories ought to have a variety of beginnings.

Marie de France

But Fortune, who never forgets her duty, turns her wheel suddenly.

Marie de France

He who would tell divers tales must know how to vary the tune.

Marie de France

The dead and past stories that I have told again in divers fashions, are not set down without authority.

Marie de France