Jean de La Fontaine Quotes

43 Sourced Quotes

Nothing is as dangerous as an ignorant friend; a wise enemy is to be preferred.

Jean de La Fontaine
Everyone believes very easily whatever they fear or desire.

Jean de La Fontaine
Love is a cruel conqueror.
Happy is he who knows him through stories
And not by his blows!

Jean de La Fontaine
It is a double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.

Jean de La Fontaine
It is impossible to please all the world and one's father.

Jean de La Fontaine
The opinion of the strongest is always the best.

Jean de La Fontaine
Better to suffer than to die: that is mankind's motto.

Jean de La Fontaine
There is nothing useless to men of sense: clever people turn everything to account.

Jean de La Fontaine
Patience and longevity Are worth more than force and rage.
In French: Patience et longueur de temps Font plus que force ni que rage.

Jean de La Fontaine
Dressed in the lion's skin, the ass spread terror far and wide.

Jean de La Fontaine
The fastidious are unfortunate; nothing satisfies them.

Jean de La Fontaine
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 honor I shall have of having tried I say.

Jean de La Fontaine
To win a race, the swiftness of a dart availeth not without a timely start.

Jean de La Fontaine