Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux

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

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

No one is satisfied with his fortune, nor dissatisfied with his
intellect.
[Fr., Nul n'est content de sa read more

No one is satisfied with his fortune, nor dissatisfied with his
intellect.
[Fr., Nul n'est content de sa fortune;
Ni mecontent de son esprit.]

Whatever we conceive well we express clearly, and words flow with
ease.
[Fr., Ce que l'on concoit bien read more

Whatever we conceive well we express clearly, and words flow with
ease.
[Fr., Ce que l'on concoit bien s'enonce clairement,
Et les mots pour le dire arrivent aisement.]

Time flies and draws us with it. The moment in which I am
speaking is already far from me.
read more

Time flies and draws us with it. The moment in which I am
speaking is already far from me.
[Fr., Le temps fuit, et nous traine avec soi:
Le moment ou je parle est deja loin de moi.]

Honor is like an island, rugged and without shores; we can never
re-enter it once we are on the read more

Honor is like an island, rugged and without shores; we can never
re-enter it once we are on the outside.
[Fr., L'honneur est comme une ile escarpee et sans bords;
On n'y peut plus rentrer des qu'on en est dehors.]