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Jean de La Fontaine

45 quotes

“People must help one another; it is nature's law.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) said by 1695 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: L'Ane et le Chien", as quoted in On a Darkling Plain (1995) by Richard Lee Byers, p. 94.
“Everyone calls himself a friend, but only a fool relies on it; nothing is commoner than the name, nothing rarer than the thing.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) said by 1695 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Parole de Socrate", as quoted in The Wordsworth Book of Humorous Quotations (1998), edited by C. Robertson
“Everyone believes very easily whatever they fear or desire.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) said by 1695 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Subcontact : Slap the Face of Fear and Wake Up Your Subconscious‎ (2001) by Dian Benson, p. 149
“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.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) said by 1695 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in From Grandmother with Love (2005) by Becky Kelly and Patrick Regan, p. 53.
“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.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) said by 1695 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Mémoires pour servir à l'histoire de Port-Royal (1752), as cited by M. A. Screech in Laughter at the Foot of the Cross (1997), p. 69
“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.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book I (1668), Dedication "To Monseigneur the Dauphin".
“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.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book I (1668), Dedication "To Monseigneur the Dauphin".
“La fourmi n'est pas prêteuse; C'est là son moindre défaut.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book I (1668), fable 1.
“Apprenez que tout flatteur Vit aux dépens de celui qui l'écoute.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book I (1668), fable 2. Variant translations: Learn now that every flatterer lives at the cost of those who give him credit. In exchange for your cheese I will give you a piece of advice for the future — Do not trust fl…
“Nous n'écoutons d'instincts que ceux qui sont les nôtres, Et ne croyons le mal que quand il est venu.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book I (1668), fable 8.
“La raison du plus fort est toujours la meilleure.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book I (1668), fable 10 (The Wolf and the Lamb).
Also quoted by: French proverb (french)
“Plutôt souffrir que mourir, C'est la devise des hommes.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book I (1668), fable 16.
“A l'oeuvre on connaît l'artisan.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book I (1668), fable 21 (The Hornets And The Bees)
“Je plie, et ne romps pas.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book I (1668), fable 22.
“Les délicats sont malheureux: Rien ne saurait les satisfaire.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book II (1668), fable 1.
“Il faut, autant qu'on peut, obliger tout le monde: On a souvent besoin d'un plus petit que soi.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book II (1668), fable 11.
“Patience et longueur de temps Font plus que force ni que rage.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book II (1668), fable 11.
“C'est double plaisir de tromper le trompeur.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book II (1668), fable 15 (The Cock and the Fox).
“[On] est bien fou de cerveau Qui prétend contenter tout le monde et son père.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book III (1668), fable 1.
“En toute chose il faut considérer la fin.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book III (1668), fable 5 (The Fox and the Goat).
“Amour est un étrange maître! Heureux qui peut ne le connaître Que par récit, lui ni ses coups!”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book IV (1668), fable 1 (Le lion amoureux).
“... ’argent vient-il comme il s’en va ? Je n’y touchois jamais. Dites-moy donc de grace, Reprit l’autre, pourquoy vous vous affligez tant, Puiſque vous ne touchiez jamais à cet argent : Mettez une pierre à la place, Elle vous vaudra tout autant.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) said by 1695 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Bref, la fortune a toujours tort.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1688 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book V (1688), fable 11 (Luck and the Young Child)
“Il n'est rien d'inutile aux personnes de sens.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book V (1668), fable 19.
“Il ne faut jamais Vendre la peau de l'ours qu'on ne l'ait mis par terre.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book V (1668), fable 20.
“De la peau du lion l'âne s'étant vêtu, Était craint partout à la ronde.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book V (1668), fable 21.
“Garde-toi, tant que tu vivras, De juger les gens sur la mine.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book VI (1668), fable 5.
“Rien ne sert de courir; il faut partir à point.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book VI (1668), fable 10.
Also quoted by: French proverb (french)
“Aide-toi, le ciel t'aidera.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book VI (1668), fable 17.
Also quoted by: French proverb (french)
“Sur les ailes du Temps la tristesse s'envole.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book VI (1668), fable 21.
“The fly of the coach.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1678 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book VII (1678–1679), fable 9.
Also quoted by: J. De La Fontaine
“L’enseigne fait la chalandise.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1678 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book VII (1678–1679), fable 16 (The Fortune-Tellers).
“Plus fait douceur que violence.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1678 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book VI (1678-1679), fable 3.
Also quoted by: French proverb (french)
“La mort ne surprend point le sage: Il est toujours prêt à partir.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1678 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book VIII (1678-1679), fable 1.
“Rien ne pèse tant qu'un secret.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1678 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book VIII (1678-1679), fable 6.
“Rien n'est si dangereux qu'un ignorant ami; Mieux vaudrait un sage ennemi.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1678 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book VIII (1678-1679), fable 10.
“On rencontre sa destinée Souvent par des chemins qu’on prend pour l’éviter.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1678 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book VIII (1678–1679), fable 16 (The Horoscope)
“Laissez dire les sots: le savoir a son prix.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1678 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book VIII (1678-1679), fable 19 (The Use of Knowledge).
“Les gens sans bruit sont dangereux.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1678 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book VIII (1678–1679), fable 23.
“L'homme est ainsi bâti: Quand un sujet l'enflamme L'impossibilité disparaît à son âme.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1678 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book VIII (1678-1679), fable 25.
“Il connaît l’univers, et ne se connaît pas.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1678 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book VIII (1678–1679), fable 26.
“Ventre affamé n'a point d'oreilles.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1678 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book IX (1678–1679), fable 18.
Also quoted by: French proverb (french)
“No path of flowers leads to glory.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) said by 1695 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book X, fable 14; reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
Also quoted by: J. De La Fontaine
“They are too green", he said, "and only good for fools".”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) said by 1695 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Fox and the Grapes, fable 11; reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
Also quoted by: J. De La Fontaine
“... ’argent vient-il comme il s’en va ? Je n’y touchois jamais. Dites-moy donc de grace, Reprit l’autre, pourquoy vous vous affligez tant, Puiſque vous ne touchiez jamais à cet argent : Mettez une pierre à la place, Elle vous vaudra tout autant.”
Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) first seen 1668 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book IV (1668), fable 20 (L’Avare qui a perdu ſon treſor.).