Jean de La Fontaine Quotes

No favor can win gratitude from a cat.

Death never takes the wise man by surprise, he is always ready to go.

Everyone believes very easily whatever they fear or desire.

I bend and do not break.

How wealthy the gods would be if we remembered the promises we made when we were in danger.

Rely only on yourself; it is a common proverb.

Every one turns his dreams into realities as far as he can; man is cold as ice to the truth, hot as fire to falsehood.

We heed no instincts but our own.

Women keep no secrets, and I know many men, who are women in this regard.

Often we find our own destiny on the same roads that we have been avoiding.

In everything one must consider the end.

Everyone calls himself a friend, but only a fool relies on it; nothing is commoner than the name, nothing rarer than the thing.

Even if misfortune is only good for bringing a fool to his senses, it would still be just to deem it good for something.

Men of all ages have the same inclinations, over which reason exercises no control. Thus, wherever men are found, there are follies, ay, and the same follies.

O love, when thou gettest dominion over us, we may bid good-by to prudence.

Learn that every flatterer Lives at the flattered listeners cost.

Everyone has his faults which he continually repeats: neither fear nor shame can cure them.

It is impossible to please all the world and one's father.

To hell with pleasure that's haunted by fear.

Dressed in the lion's skin, the ass spread terror far and wide.

The finest victory is to conquer one's own heart.

Neither wealth or greatness render us happy.

Example is a dangerous lure: where the wasp got through the gnat sticks fast.

The best laid plot can injure its maker, and often a man's perfidy will rebound on himself.

Nothing is more dangerous than a friend without discretion; even a prudent enemy is preferable.

You've tried to reform what will not learn. Shut doors on traits that you wish were dead; They will open a window and return.

People who make no noise are dangerous.

It is good to be charitable; but to whom? That is the point. As to the ungrateful, there is not one who does not at last die miserable.

The sign brings customers.

The fastidious are unfortunate; nothing satisfies them.

Every journalist owes tribute to the evil one.

If you deal with a fox, think of his tricks.

We are never content with our lot.

In everything we ought to look at the end.

By the work one knows the workman.

In every trouble the little ones duck more easily.

We risk all in being too greedy.

Better to suffer than to die.

He knoweth the universe, and himself he knoweth not.

One returns to the place one came from.

The worst time is always the present.

Rogues are always found out in some way. Whoever is a wolf will act like a wolf, that is most certain.

All the brains in the world are powerless against the sort of stupidity that is in fashion.

What is denominated discretion in man we call cunning in brutes.

Every flatterer lives at the expense of him who listens to him.

A pessimist and an optimist, so much the worse; so much the better.

Friendship is the shadow of the evening, which increases with the setting sun of life.

Anyone entrusted with power will abuse it if not also animated with the love of truth and virtue, no matter whether he be a prince, or one of the people.