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
dream real wish
There's nothing sweeter than a real friend: Not only is he prompt to lend— An angler delicate, he fishes The very deepest of your wishes, And spares your modesty the task His friendly aid to ask. A dream, a shadow, wakes his fear, When pointing at the object dear.
boyfriend daughter father
It is impossible to please all the world and one's father.
promise would-be danger
How wealthy the gods would be if we remembered the promises we made when we were in danger.
unfortunate fastidious
The fastidious are unfortunate; nothing satisfies them.
skins bears beast
Never sell the bear's skin before one has killed the beast.
evil journalism tribute
Every journalist owes tribute to the evil one.
strength patience time
By time and toil we sever What strength and rage could never.
succeed violence gentleness
Gentleness succeeds better than violence.
sticks made should
One should stick to the sort of thing for which one was made; I tried to be an herbalist, Whereas I should keep to the butchers trade.
inferiority needs inferiors
One often has need of one, inferior to himself.
looks ends ought
In everything we ought to look at the end.
hares caught caution
A hare is not caught with a drum.
human-nature expenses flatterer
Be advised that all flatterers live at the expense of those who listen to them.
worst-times worst
The worst time is always the present.