Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux Quotes

French poet and critic (1636–1711)

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux (1 November 1636 – 13 March 1711), commonly called Boileau, was a French poet and critic.

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Alternative Names: Boileau • Nicolas Boileau • Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux

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

Il plait a tout le monde et ne saurait se plaire.

I can call nothing by name if that is not his name. I call a cat a cat, and Rollet a rogue.

Je ne puis rien nommer si ce n'est par son nom ;
J'appelle un chat un chat, et Rollet un fripon.

A fop sometimes gives important advice.

Un fat quelquefois ouvre un avis important.

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

Chaque âge a ses plaisirs, son esprit et ses mœurs.

At times truth may not seem probable.

Le vrai peut quelquefois n'être pas vraisemblable.

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

Un sot trouve toujours un plus sot qui l'admire.

Truth has not such an urgent air.

La vérité n'a point cet air impétueux.

Hasten slowly, and without losing heart,
Put your work twenty times upon the anvil.