Jean de La Fontaine Quotes

La fourmi n'est pas prêteuse;
C'est là son moindre défaut.

For thee I'll trace in verses which I write Some sketches, paintings which indeed are light, And if the prize of pleasing thee I do not bear away, At least, the honour I shall have of having tried I say.

Je vais t'entretenir de moindres aventures,
Te tracer en ces vers de légères peintures;
Et si de t'agréer je n'emporte le prix,
J'aurai du moins d'honneur de l'avoir entrepris.

History some truths contains, which well may serve For lessons. In my work you will observe Ev'ry thing speaks — yea e'en the very fish — And what they say, to ev'ry man a dish Serves up; and I of animals make choice That men may get instruction from their voice.

L'histoire, encore que mensongère,
Contient des vérités qui servent de leçons.
Tout parle en mon ouvrage, et même les poissons.
Ce qu'ils disent s'adresse à tout tant que nous sommes;
Je me sers d'animaux pour instruire les hommes.

We then saw what St. Jerome said of those who serve God and those who serve the world: "Each to the other we seem insane": Invicem insanire videmur. There is a never-ending duel between the two.

To live lightheartedly but not recklessly; to be gay without being boisterous; to be courageous without being bold; to show trust and cheerful resignation without fatalism — this is the art of living.

Everyone believes very easily whatever they fear or desire.

People must help one another; it is nature's law.

Chain! Chain you! What! Run you not, then,
just where you please, and when?”
“Not always, sir; but what of that?”
“Enough for me, to spoil your fat!
It ought to be a precious price
which could to servile chains entice;
for me, I’ll shun them while I’ve wit.”
So ran Sir Wolf, and runneth yet.