Jean de La Fontaine
Jean de La Fontaine
Jean de La Fontainewas the most famous French fabulist and one of the most widely read French poets of the 17th century. He is known above all for his Fables, which provided a model for subsequent fabulists across Europe and numerous alternative versions in France, and in French regional languages...
NationalityFrench
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth8 July 1621
CountryFrance
Jean de La Fontaine quotes about
believe desire credulity
We believe easily what we fear of what we desire
ends ought
We ought to consider the end in everything.
imagination fool opinion
Imitators are a slavish herd and fools in my opinion.
innocence innocent unfortunate
We become innocent when we are unfortunate.
foxes tails tongue
Foxes are all tail, and women all tongue.
cities paris mountain
A mountain in labour shouted so loud that everyone, summoned by the noise, ran up expecting that she would be delivered of a city bigger than Paris; she brought forth a mouse.
rogues way certain
Rogues are always found out in some way. Whoever is a wolf will act like a wolf, that is most certain.
people silence silent
Silent people are dangerous; others are not so. [Fr., Les gens sans bruit sont dangereux; Il n'en est pas ainsi des autres.]
names fool commoners
Everyone calls himself a friend, but only a fool relies on it; nothing is commoner than the name, nothing rarer than the thing.
needs should ability
One should oblige everyone to the extent of one's ability. One often needs someone smaller than oneself.
satisfaction unfortunate fastidious
The fastidious are unfortunate: nothing can satisfy them. [Lat., Les delicats sont malheureux, Rien ne saurait les satisfaire.]
work quality workmen
By the work one knows the workman.
peacock feathers
Le geai pare des plumes du paon. A bluejay in peacock feathers.
love dominion may
O love, when thou gettest dominion over us, we may bid good-by to prudence.