Friendship is the shadow of the evening, which increases with the setting sun of life.
About Jean de La Fontaine
Jean de La Fontainela foten]; 8 July 1621 – 13 April 1695) was a 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, as well as in French regional languages.
More quotes from Jean de La Fontaine
Death never takes the wise man by surprise, he is always ready to go.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Rare as is true love, true friendship is rarer.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
We must laugh before we are happy, for fear we die before we laugh at all.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Let ignorance talk as it will, learning has its value.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Beware, so long as you live, of judging men by their outward appearance.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
One returns to the place one came from.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Everyone calls himself a friend, but only a fool relies on it; nothing is commoner than the name, nothing rarer than the thing.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Rather suffer than die is man’s motto.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Better a living beggar than a buried emperor.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Be advised that all flatterers live at the expense of those who listen to them.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
It is impossible to please all the world and one’s father.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
It is a double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Never sell the bear’s skin before one has killed the beast.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
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.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
The argument of the strongest is always the best.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Everyone believes very easily whatever they fear or desire.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Neither wealth or greatness render us happy.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
One often has need of one, inferior to himself.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
People who make no noise are dangerous.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
I bend and do not break.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Nothing is more dangerous than a friend without discretion; even a prudent enemy is preferable.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
There is nothing useless to men of sense.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Sadness flies away on the wings of time.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
A pessimist and an optimist, so much the worse; so much the better.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Everyone has his faults which he continually repeats: neither fear nor shame can cure them.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Patience and time do more than strength or passion.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
We like to see others, but don’t like others to see through us.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
By the work one knows the workman.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Dressed in the lion’s skin, the ass spread terror far and wide.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
It is twice the pleasure to deceive the deceiver.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
But the shortest works are always the best.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
People must help one another; it is nature’s law.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
We read on the foreheads of those who are surrounded by a foolish luxury, that fortune sells what she is thought to give.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Help thyself and Heaven will help thee.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
The strongest passion is fear.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
There is no road of flowers leading to glory.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Friendship is the shadow of the evening, which increases with the setting sun of life.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Nothing is as dangerous as an ignorant friend; a wise enemy is to be preferred.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Every journalist owes tribute to the evil one.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Every flatterer lives at the expense of him who listens to him.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Luck’s always to blame.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
A hungry stomach cannot hear.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
Man is so made that when anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
The fastidious are unfortunate; nothing satisfies them.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)
In short, Luck’s always to blame.
French poet, fabulist and writer (1621-1695)