Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux

The wisest man is generally he who thinks himself the least so.

The wisest man is generally he who thinks himself the least so.

Truth has not such an urgent air.
[Fr., La verite n'a point cet air impetueux.]

Truth has not such an urgent air.
[Fr., La verite n'a point cet air impetueux.]

That which is repeated too often becomes insipid and tedious.
[Fr., Tout ce qu'on dit de trop est fade read more

That which is repeated too often becomes insipid and tedious.
[Fr., Tout ce qu'on dit de trop est fade et rebutant.]

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.]

Often the fear on one evil leads us into a worse.
[Fr., Souvent la peur d'un mal nous conduit read more

Often the fear on one evil leads us into a worse.
[Fr., Souvent la peur d'un mal nous conduit dans un pire.]