It is in vain a daring author thinks of attaining to the heights of Parnassus if he does not feel the secret influence of heaven and if his natal star has not formed him to be a poet. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux More Quotes by Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux More Quotes From Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux Whatever we conceive well we express clearly, and words flow with ease. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux oratory flow ease Of all the animals which fly in the air, walk on the land, or swim in the sea, from Paris to Peru, from Japan to Rome, the most foolish animal in my opinion is man. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux nature animal men Hasten slowly, and without losing heart, put your work twenty times upon the anvil. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux twenties work heart A fool always finds one still more foolish to admire him. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux admire plus fool In spite of every sage whom Greece can show, Unerring wisdom never dwelt below; Folly in all of every age we see, The only difference lies in the degree. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux differences wisdom lying The world is full of fools; and he who would not wish to see one, must not only shut himself up alone, but must also break his looking-glass. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux fools-day glasses break-up Who is content with nothing possesses all things. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux all-things However big the fool, there is always a bigger fool to admire him. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux fool stupidity bigs Whate'er is well conceived is clearly said, And the words to say it flow with ease. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux flow ease said When we envy another, we make their virtue our vice. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux envy virtue vices Gold gives an appearance of beauty even to ugliness: But with poverty everything becomes frightful. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux poverty gold giving It is the sin which we have not committed which seems the most monstrous. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux committed sin seems Honor is like an island, rugged and without shores; we can never re-enter it once we are on the outside. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux plus honor islands Whatever we well understand we express clearly, and words flow with ease. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux oratory understanding ease Bring your work back to the workshop twenty times. Polish it continuously, and polish it again. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux workshops twenties practice All men are fools, and with every effort they differ only in the degree. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux degrees effort men At times truth may not seem probable. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux trust truth may A burlesque word is often a powerful sermon. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux burlesque sermons powerful Nature always springs to the surface and manages to show what she is. It is vain to stop or try to drive her back. She breaks through every obstacle, pushes forward, and at last makes for herself a way. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux break-through nature spring Every age has its pleasures, its style of wit, and its own ways. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux style age way
