Nothing is useless to the man of sense; he turns everything to account.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Intelligence
By the work one knows the workmen.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Work, Quality
Every flatterer lives at the expense of him who listens to him.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Flattery
Half of today is better than all of tomorrow.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: The Present, Tomorrow
Still people are dangerous.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Danger, Manners, Behavior
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 butcher’s trade.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Abilities, Talents, Work
Patience and the passage of time do more than strength and fury.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Patience
What a wonderful thing it is to have a good friend. He identities your innermost desires, and spares you the embarrassment of disclosing them to him yourself.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Friendship, Candor
One often has need of one, inferior to himself.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Inferiority
One returns to the place one came from.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Home
Man is so made that when anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Soul
The more wary you are of danger, the more likely you are to meet it.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Positive Attitudes, Optimism
Friendship is the shadow of the evening, which strengthens with the setting sun of life.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Friendship, Friends
In short, luck’s always to blame.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Luck
Neither wealth or greatness render us happy.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Greatness & Great Things, Greatness
Nothing is so dangerous as an ignorant friend; a wise enemy is worth more.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Ignorance
Beware, so long as you live, of judging men by their outward appearance.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Appearance
The worst time is always the present.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: The Past
It is of no use running; to set out betimes is the main point.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Haste, Punctuality
Help yourself, and Heaven will help you.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Prayer, Independence, Self-reliance
Lynx-eyed to our neighbors, and moles to ourselves.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Judgment
Patience is a virtue, Virtue is a grace; Both put together Make a very pretty face.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Patience
Patience and time do more than strength or passion.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Time, Patience
A pessimist and an optimist, so much the worse; so much the better.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Attitude
In this world we must help one another.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Helping, Service
Everyone believes very easily whatever they fear or desire.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Desire, Belief
The argument of the strongest is always the best.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Argument
Everyone has a wallet behind for his own failings, and one before for the failings of others.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Sadness flies away on the wings of time.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Difficulty, Moving on, Resilience, Sadness
Even if misfortune is only good for bringing a fool to his senses, it would still be just to deem it good for something.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Adversity, Difficulties
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Jean Cocteau French Poet, Artist
- Guillaume Apollinaire Italian-born French Poet
- Alphonse de Lamartine French Poet, Politician, Historian
- Arthur Rimbaud French Poet
- Remy de Gourmont French Poet, Writer
- Charles Baudelaire French Poet
- Michel Houellebecq French Author
- Victor Hugo French Novelist
- Claude Bernard French Physiologist
- Voltaire French Philosopher, Author
Leave a Reply