We do not know what to do with this short life, but we want another that will be eternal.
—Anatole France
Topics: Life
The average man does not know what to do with this life, yet wants another one which will last forever.
—Anatole France
Topics: Greed
That man is prudent who neither hopes nor fears anything from the uncertain events of the future.
—Anatole France
Topics: Events, Prudence, The Future, Future
Time deals gently only with those who take it gently.
—Anatole France
Topics: Patience, Resilience
The finest words in the world are only vain sounds, if you cannot comprehend them.
—Anatole France
Topics: Words
Religion has done love a great service by making it a sin.
—Anatole France
Topics: Love, Religion
Nine tenths of education is encouragement.
—Anatole France
Topics: Encouragement, Education
When a thing has been said and said well, have no scruple. Take it and copy it.
—Anatole France
Topics: Plagiarism
Of all the sexual aberrations, chastity is the strangest.
—Anatole France
Topics: Sex
It is in the ability to deceive oneself that the greatest talent is shown.
—Anatole France
Topics: Deception, Talent
The good critic is he who relates the adventures of his soul among masterpieces.
—Anatole France
Topics: Critics, Criticism
The future is hidden even from those who make it.
—Anatole France
Topics: The Future, Tomorrow
The mania of thinking renders one unfit for every activity.
—Anatole France
Topics: Decisions
Lovers who love truly do not write down their happiness.
—Anatole France
Topics: Love, Lovers
One must never lose time in vainly regretting the past nor complaining against the changes which cause us discomfort, for change is the very essence of life.
—Anatole France
Do not try to satisfy your vanity by teaching a great many things. Awakened people’s curiosity. It is enough to open minds; do not overload them. Put there just a spark. If there is some good flammable stuff, it will catch fire.
—Anatole France
Topics: Wilderness
The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread.
—Anatole France
Topics: Wealth, Laws, Justice, Rain
The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread.
—Anatole France
Topics: Equality
What we call happiness is what we do not know.
—Anatole France
Topics: Happiness
Without lies humanity would perish of despair and boredom.
—Anatole France
Topics: Lying, Deception/Lying, Lies
When a thing has been said and said well, have no scruple. Take it and copy it.
—Anatole France
Innocence most often is a good fortune and not a virtue.
—Anatole France
Topics: Perspective, Innocence
Our passions are ourselves.
—Anatole France
Topics: Enthusiasm, Passion
It is not customary to love what one has.
—Anatole France
Topics: Gratitude, Blessings, Appreciation
A writer is rarely so well inspired as when he talks about himself.
—Anatole France
Topics: Authors & Writing
Universal peace will be realized, not because man will become better, but because a new order of things, a new science, new economic necessities, will impose peace.
—Anatole France
Topics: War, Peace
Never lend books, for no one ever returns them; the only books I have in my library are those which people have lent me.
—Anatole France
Topics: Unhappiness, One liners
If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads.
—Anatole France
Topics: One liners
I thank fate for having made me born poor. Poverty taught me the true value of the gifts useful to life.
—Anatole France
Topics: The Poor, Poverty
Simple style is like white light. It is complex, but its complexity is not obvious.
—Anatole France
Topics: Simplicity, Time Management, Value of a Day
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Jean Cocteau French Poet, Artist
- Voltaire French Philosopher, Author
- Victor Hugo French Novelist
- Andre Gide French Novelist
- Michel Houellebecq French Author
- Gustave Flaubert French Novelist
- Guy de Maupassant French Short-story Writer
- Remy de Gourmont French Poet, Writer
- Marcel Proust French Novelist
- Jean-Paul Sartre French Philosopher
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