Pierre Corneille
Pierre Corneille
Pierre Corneillewas a French tragedian. He is generally considered one of the three great seventeenth-century French dramatists, along with Molière and Jean Racine...
NationalityFrench
ProfessionDramatist
Date of Birth6 June 1606
CountryFrance
kings advice choices
It is an imprudence common to kings to listen to too much advice and to err in their choice.
despair noble conquer
He who has resolved to conquer or die is seldom conquered; such noble despair perishes with difficulty.
years waiting soul
I am young, it is true; but in noble souls valor does not wait for years.
fame
To myself alone do I owe my fame. [Fr., Je ne dois qu'a moi seul toute ma renommee.]
law broken benefits
It is a law, of the gods which is never broken, to sell somewhat dearly the great benefits which they confer on us.
happiness made seems
Happiness seems made to be shared. [Fr., Le bonheur semble fait pour etre partage.]
liars lying oath
A liar is always lavish of oaths. [Fr., Un menteur est toujours prodigue de serments.]
misfortunes
By speaking of our misfortunes we often relieve them. [Fr., A raconter ses maux souvent on les soulage.]
guilt shame
It is the guilt, not the scaffold, which constitutes the shame.
miracle heaven silence
When a woman has the gift of silence she possesses a quality above the vulgar. It is a gift of Heaven seldom bestowed; without a little miracle it cannot be accomplished; and Nature suffers violence when Heaven puts a woman in the humor of observing silence.
memories lying lied
A good memory is needed once we have lied. [Fr., Il faut bonne memoire apres qu'on a menti.]
sadness perfect joy
We never taste a perfect joy; our happiest successes are mixed with sadness.
insulted-him insolence deserve
He who allows himself to be insulted deserves to be.
forgiveness forgiving offense
He who forgives readily only invites offense.