THE INKLINGO LANGUAGE GUIDES
60 French Quotes About Life, Love & Wisdom
Find 60 short French quotes about life, love, wisdom and determination, with English translations, named authors and a traceable source for every line. The quick list offers concise choices for a caption, message or moment of reflection; context notes explain a character’s voice or an older expression.
Short quotes to start with
- Il faut cultiver notre jardin.We must cultivate our garden.
- Parce que c’était lui, parce que c’était moi.Because it was him, because it was me.
- La valeur n’attend point le nombre des années.Courage does not wait for a certain number of years.
- Le cœur a ses raisons, que la raison ne connaît point.The heart has its reasons that reason does not know.
- Rien ne sert de courir ; il faut partir à point.Running is no use; you must set off in good time.
- Je plie et ne romps pas.I bend and do not break.
- Peu de gens savent être vieux.Few people know how to be old.
- Rien ne s'arrête pour nous.Nothing stays still for us.
- La confiance fournit plus à la conversation que l'esprit.Confidence contributes more to conversation than wit.
- Toute notre dignité consiste donc en la pensée.All our dignity therefore lies in thought.
French Quotes About Life and Time
Read these lines in their original setting: a narrator or character may express a troubled view, not simple advice.
La durée de nos passions ne dépend pas plus de nous la durée de notre .
How long our passions last is no more up to us than how long our life lasts.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, V (1817 edition)
A skeptical reflection on emotional control.
Source noteL'accent du pays où l'on est né demeure dans l' et dans le cœur comme dans le langage.
The accent of our birthplace remains in mind and heart as it does in speech.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, CCCXLIX (1817 edition)
Accent becomes a metaphor for lasting cultural habits.
Source noteNous essayons de nous faire honneur des défauts que nous ne voulons pas corriger.
We try to take pride in the faults we do not want to correct.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, CCCCLXIV (1817 edition)
A warning about turning excuses into identity.
Source noteRien ne s'arrête pour nous.
Nothing stays still for us.
— Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), Pensées, I.1
The surrounding passage describes unstable human certainty.
Source notechoses instruisent l'homme de toute sa nature, l' et l'expérience.
Two things teach humans about their whole nature: instinct and experience.
— Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), Pensées, I.10
Pascal brings inward disposition and lived evidence together.
Source noteL'homme n'est ni ange ni bête, et le malheur veut que qui veut faire l'ange fait la bête.
A human is neither angel nor beast, and unfortunately whoever tries to act the angel acts the beast.
— Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), Pensées, VII.13
The contrast criticizes unrealistic moral self-images.
Source noteLe silence éternel de ces infinis m'effraye.
The eternal silence of these infinite spaces frightens me.
— Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), Pensées, XXV.17
The line expresses anxiety before the vast universe.
Source noteChacun est un tout à soi-même, car lui mort, le tout est mort pour soi.
Each person is a whole to themselves, for when they die, the whole dies for them.
— Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), Pensées, XXV.19
A reflection on the limits of an individual’s perspective.
Source noteIl faut notre .
We must cultivate our garden.
— Voltaire (1694–1778), Candide, chapter XXX
A short clause from Candide’s final answer: practical shared work takes precedence over abstract optimism. Initial capitalization normalized.
Source noteExplore these words: Exclamations · Numbers (flashcards)
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Read French storiesFrench Quotes About Love
These lines include affection, longing and skepticism. The context explains whose voice is speaking.
La fait un fou du plus habile homme, et rend habiles les plus sots.
Passion often makes a fool of the cleverest person and makes the greatest fools clever.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, VI (1817 edition)
The sentence turns intelligence and passion against each other.
Source noteIl n'y a point de déguisement qui puisse longtemps cacher l'amour où il est, ni le feindre où il n'est pas.
No disguise can hide love for long where it exists, or pretend it where it does not.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, LXX (1817 edition)
The author contrasts feeling with performance.
Source noteIl n'y d'une d'amour, mais il y en différentes copies.
There is only one kind of love, but a thousand different copies of it.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, LXXIV (1817 edition)
The odd older construction is retained from the selected edition.
Source noteIl en est du véritable amour de l'apparition des esprits : tout le en , mais de gens en ont .
True love is like the appearance of ghosts: everyone talks about it, but few have seen it.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, LXXVI (1817 edition)
The comparison is skeptical rather than a romantic promise.
Source noteLe de l'amour est d' ; et l'on est plus heureux par la que l'on a que par celle que l'on donne.
The pleasure of love lies in loving; the passion we feel makes us happier than the passion we inspire.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, CCLXVII (1817 edition)
The focus is the lover’s experience.
Source noteOn a bien de la peine à rompre, on ne s' plus.
It is very hard to part when love is already gone.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, CCCLVIII (1817 edition)
A paradox about attachment after affection.
Source noteLe cœur a ses , que la ne point.
The heart has its reasons that reason does not know.
— Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), Pensées, Didiot 1896, p. 80, VI
In context the heart concerns immediate knowledge and belief, not only romantic love.
Source noteExplore these words: Emotions & feelings (flashcards) · Time & dates (flashcards) · Love & romance
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Read French storiesFrench Quotes About Friendship
Share a thought about trust, affection and the friends who know you well.
Il est plus honteux de se défier de ses que d'en être trompé.
It is more shameful to distrust your friends than to be deceived by them.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, LXXXIV (1817 edition)
One of the collection’s less cynical defenses of friendship.
Source noteL'envie est détruite par la véritable , et la coquetterie par le véritable .
True friendship destroys envy, and true love destroys flirtatiousness.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, CCCXCVIII (1817 edition)
The author imagines feelings strong enough to displace rivalry.
Source noteNous pardonnons aisément à nos amis les défauts qui ne nous regardent pas.
We readily forgive our friends for faults that do not affect us.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, CCCCL (1817 edition)
Forgiveness is tested against personal cost.
Source noteParce que c’était lui, parce que c’était moi.
Because it was him, because it was me.
— Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592), Essais, De l’amitié
Montaigne describes his bond with Étienne de La Boétie. Spelling modernized from “Par ce que c’estoit luy, par ce que c’estoit moy”. The linked edition numbers this chapter I.27.
Source noteNous nous embrassions par nos .
We embraced each other through our names.
— Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592), Essais, De l’amitié
Hearing about each other created affection before the friends met. Spelling nos modernized from noz.
Source noteExplore these words: Family & relationships (flashcards) · Love & romance · Emotions & feelings (flashcards)
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Read French storiesFrench Quotes About Wisdom
A memorable sentence can be an argument or a provocation. Consider what the author is asking the reader to question.
L'amour-propre est le plus grand de tous les flatteurs.
Self-love is the greatest flatterer of all.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, II (1817 edition)
The maxim makes vanity its own persuader.
Source noteQuelques découvertes que l'on ait faites dans le de l'amour-propre, il y reste encore des terres inconnues.
However much has been discovered in the country of self-love, much territory remains unknown.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, III (1817 edition)
An exploration metaphor questions how well we know our motives.
Source noteL'amour-propre est plus habile que le plus habile homme du .
Self-love is cleverer than the cleverest person in the world.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, IV (1817 edition)
Self-deception outwits deliberate intelligence.
Source noteNotre amour-propre souffre plus impatiemment la condamnation de nos goûts que de nos .
Our self-love resents criticism of our tastes more than of our opinions.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, XIII (1817 edition)
The maxim treats taste as part of personal identity.
Source noteL'amour de la n'est, en la plupart des hommes, la crainte de l'injustice.
For most people, love of justice is only fear of suffering injustice.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, LXXVIII (1817 edition)
The writer asks whether moral claims conceal self-interest.
Source noteComment prétendons-nous un autre garde notre secret si nous ne pouvons le garder nous-mêmes ?
How can we expect someone else to keep our secret if we cannot keep it ourselves?
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, LXXXVII (1817 edition)
A practical paradox about disclosure.
Source noteLa gravité est un du , inventé pour cacher les défauts de l'.
Solemnity is a mystery of the body, invented to hide the mind’s defects.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, CCLXV (1817 edition)
A serious appearance is separated from real understanding.
Source noteLa est une fausse monnaie qui n'a de cours par notre vanité.
Flattery is counterfeit money that circulates only because of our vanity.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, CCLXVI (1817 edition)
The financial image makes listeners complicit in flattery.
Source noteLorsque notre est trop vive, elle nous met au-dessous de ceux que nous haïssons.
When our hatred is too intense, it places us beneath those we hate.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, CCCXLV (1817 edition)
Hatred damages the person who feels it.
Source noteChacun trouve à redire en autrui ce qu'on trouve à redire en lui.
Everyone faults others for what others fault in them.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, CCCLXXI (1817 edition)
The sentence exposes a double standard.
Source noteNous gagnerions plus de nous laisser tels que nous sommes, que d'essayer de ce que nous ne sommes pas.
We would gain more by letting ourselves be seen as we are than by trying to seem what we are not.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, CCCCLXXX (1817 edition)
The author weighs honesty against self-presentation.
Source noteConnaissons donc notre portée ; nous sommes quelque chose et ne sommes pas tout.
Let us recognize our reach: we are something, but we are not everything.
— Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), Pensées, I.1
A call to acknowledge the limits of knowledge.
Source noteL'homme n'est un , le plus faible de la nature, mais c'est un pensant.
A human is only a reed, nature’s weakest, but a thinking reed.
— Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), Pensées, I.6
Physical fragility is set against consciousness.
Source noteIl y beaucoup de différence entre l'esprit de géométrie et l'esprit de finesse.
There is a great difference between mathematical reasoning and subtle judgment.
— Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), Pensées, VII.2
Pascal distinguishes explicit principles from perceptive judgment in ordinary life.
Source noteOn se persuade mieux, pour l'ordinaire, par les qu'on a soi-même trouvées, que par celles qui sont venues dans l'esprit des autres.
Usually we are more persuaded by reasons we have found ourselves than by those others have found.
— Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), Pensées, VII.10
An observation about how conviction develops.
Source noteLa dernière démarche de la , c'est de connaître qu'il y a une infinité de choses qui la surpassent.
Reason’s final step is recognizing that infinitely many things exceed it.
— Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), Pensées, XIII.1
The passage argues for reason acknowledging its limits.
Source noteApprenez que tout flatteur aux dépens de celui qui l'écoute.
Learn that every flatterer lives at the expense of the one who listens.
— Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695), Fables I.2, Le Corbeau et le Renard (1668)
The fox delivers the lesson after tricking the crow out of its cheese.
Source noteLa raison du plus fort est toujours la meilleure.
The stronger party’s argument is always the best.
— Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695), Fables I.10, Le Loup et l’Agneau (1668)
The fable exposes power disguising itself as justice; it does not endorse the wolf.
Source noteExplore these words: Nature & landscape (flashcards) · Emotions & feelings (flashcards) · Plants & trees (flashcards)
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Read French storiesFrench Quotes for Motivation and Perseverance
Read the tension between words and action rather than treating every dramatic speech as an author’s personal belief.
La magnanimité méprise tout pour avoir tout.
Magnanimity scorns everything in order to have everything.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, CCLVI (1817 edition)
The author challenges apparently selfless greatness.
Source noteLa véritable consiste à dire tout ce il , et à ne dire ce il .
True eloquence means saying everything needed, and only what is needed.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, CCLVIII (1817 edition)
A model of concise expression.
Source noteNous pouvons paraître grands dans un emploi au-dessous de notre mérite ; mais nous paraissons dans un emploi plus grand que nous.
We can look great in a role beneath our ability, yet often look small in a role beyond us.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, CCCCXLI (1817 edition)
The maxim concerns the fit between a person and a position.
Source noteLa confiance fournit plus à la que l'esprit.
Confidence contributes more to conversation than wit.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, CCCCXLIII (1817 edition)
Social ease can matter more than brilliance.
Source noteTravaillons donc à bien penser : le de la .
Let us therefore work at thinking well: that is the principle of morality.
— Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), Pensées, I.6
Thinking is presented as an ethical task.
Source noteIl faut où il faut, assurer où il faut et se soumettre où il faut.
We must know when to doubt, when to affirm and when to submit.
— Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), Pensées, XIII.1
These are distinctions within Pascal’s religious argument, not a demand for blind obedience.
Source noteRien ne de courir ; il faut partir à point.
Running is no use; you must set off in good time.
— Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695), Fables VI.10, Le Lièvre et la Tortue (1668)
The opening moral introduces the steady tortoise and overconfident hare.
Source noteLa valeur n’attend point le nombre des années.
Courage does not wait for a certain number of years.
— Pierre Corneille (1606–1684), Le Cid, II.2, line 406
Rodrigue defends youthful courage before a duel. Here valeur means valor, not a price.
Source noteÀ vaincre sans péril, on triomphe sans .
Victory without danger brings triumph without glory.
— Pierre Corneille (1606–1684), Le Cid, II.2, line 434
The Count says defeating the young Rodrigue would win him little honor; this is a character’s argument.
Source noteTravaillons sans raisonner.
Let us work without arguing.
— Voltaire (1694–1778), Candide, chapter XXX
Martin proposes action after lengthy philosophical disputes; raisonner here means theorizing, not abandoning reason altogether.
Source noteExplore these words: Time & dates (flashcards)
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Read French storiesShort French Quotes for Captions
These compact lines are easy to remember. Keep the author and work with the quotation when sharing it.
Le silence est le parti le plus pour celui qui se défie de soi-même.
Silence is the safest course for someone who mistrusts their own judgment.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, LXXIX (1817 edition)
A compact observation about caution in speech.
Source noteNotre défiance justifie la tromperie d'autrui.
Our distrust gives others an excuse to deceive us.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, LXXXVI (1817 edition)
The maxim describes a corrosive cycle of suspicion.
Source noteTout le se plaint de sa , et personne ne se plaint de son jugement.
Everyone complains about their memory, and no one complains about their judgment.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, LXXXIX (1817 edition)
The contrast exposes selective self-criticism.
Source noteL' met en œuvre toutes sortes de vertus et de vices.
Self-interest puts every kind of virtue and vice to work.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, CCLXI (1817 edition)
A compressed statement of the collection’s recurring concern.
Source noteOn donne des conseils, mais on n'inspire point de conduite.
We give advice, but we do not instill conduct.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, CCCC (1817 edition)
Advice and actual behavior are different achievements.
Source notede gens être vieux.
Few people know how to be old.
— François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), Maximes, CCCCXLV (1817 edition)
A very short reflection on aging well.
Source notede incommode.
Too much pleasure becomes discomfort.
— Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), Pensées, I.1
An example in a discussion of human limits.
Source noteToute notre consiste donc en la pensée.
All our dignity therefore lies in thought.
— Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), Pensées, I.6
The conclusion of the thinking-reed passage.
Source noteLa est nécessaire pour toutes les opérations de l'.
Memory is necessary for every operation of the mind.
— Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), Pensées, XXV.14
A compact fragment on the role of memory.
Source noteet , marques de natures.
Instinct and reason, signs of two natures.
— Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), Pensées, XXV.15
A fragment rather than a developed standalone argument.
Source noteJe plie et ne romps pas.
I bend and do not break.
— Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695), Fables I.22, Le Chêne et le Roseau (1668)
The reed speaks to the oak, claiming flexibility as a strength.
Source noteExplore these words: Quantities & measurements (flashcards) · Greetings & polite phrases · Personality (flashcards)
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Read French storiesFrench quotes: frequently asked questions
What makes these genuine French quotes?
Each selection names an author and a source work. They are passages from those works, not anonymous proverbs assigned a famous name.
Are all these quotations the author’s personal views?
No. A character’s speech belongs to that character and situation. The context note identifies the speaker or argument where that distinction matters.
Are the English translations literal?
They are our own translations, written to preserve the sense while remaining readable. Older vocabulary and compact wordplay sometimes need the context note.
Why does wording differ between editions?
Historical spelling, punctuation and editorial choices can differ. The work reference lets you compare the passage; this page lightly normalizes spelling without silently substituting a different quotation.
Can a proverb also be a literary quote?
Yes, a writer may use a traditional saying. Citation proves the wording appears in that work; it does not prove the writer invented the saying.
Which short quotes are good for captions?
Choose a line whose context matches what you mean, and include the author and work. The short-quotes section is a starting point, not a guarantee that every line is cheerful.
How can quotes help me learn the language?
Read one aloud, identify its central verb and compare the translation. Then read the surrounding passage or a story so the words have a wider setting.
Why are popular internet quotes missing?
A familiar attribution is not sufficient evidence. Lines without a traceable original-language source, and translated foreign sayings presented as native literary quotes, are omitted.
Is “c’est la vie” a quote?
It is a common expression meaning “that is life.” By itself it is not a reliably attributed quotation from one particular author. A literary quote should identify the writer and work; an everyday saying can be useful without an author.
Make these words part of your day
Explore French stories, listen along, and save vocabulary as you go.
Find a story at your levelSources and verification
English translations and examples were written for this guide. Source notes distinguish documented expressions, original practice sentences, and literary quotations. Literary excerpts retain the language of their original period.
- La Rochefoucauld, Maximes et Réflexions morales (1817 text) — Public-domain text; roman-numeral references below follow this edition, whose numbering can differ from other editions.
- Pascal, Pensées, Hachette 1871, article I — Primary text; sections numbered within article I.
- Pascal, Pensées, Hachette 1871, article VII — Primary text; sections numbered within article VII.
- Pascal, Pensées, Hachette 1871, article XIII — Primary text on reason and its limits.
- Pascal, Pensées, Hachette 1871, article XXV — Primary text; spelling effraye retained in selected line.
- Pascal, Pensées, Didiot 1896, page 80 scan — Primary passage, separate from Didiot’s later editorial footnotes.
- La Fontaine, Le Corbeau et le Renard, Fables I.2 — Primary fable text.
- La Fontaine, Le Loup et l’Agneau, Fables I.10 — Primary fable text.
- La Fontaine, Le Lièvre et la Tortue, Fables VI.10 — Primary fable text.
- La Fontaine, Le Chêne et le Roseau, Fables I.22 — Primary fable text.
- Corneille, Le Cid, Act II (1862 edition) — Primary public-domain text; wording checked on 4 October 2026.
- Voltaire, Candide, chapter XXX — Primary public-domain text; wording checked on 4 October 2026.
- Montaigne, De l’amitié (1595 text alongside 1907 edition) — Primary public-domain text; wording checked on 4 October 2026.
Source notes for all 60 entries
- La durée de nos passions ne dépend pas plus de nous que la durée de notre vie.: Maximes, V (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- L'accent du pays où l'on est né demeure dans l'esprit et dans le cœur comme dans le langage.: Maximes, CCCXLIX (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Nous essayons de nous faire honneur des défauts que nous ne voulons pas corriger.: Maximes, CCCCLXIV (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Rien ne s'arrête pour nous.: Pensées, I.1. Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [pascal1]
- Deux choses instruisent l'homme de toute sa nature, l'instinct et l'expérience.: Pensées, I.10. Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [pascal1]
- L'homme n'est ni ange ni bête, et le malheur veut que qui veut faire l'ange fait la bête.: Pensées, VII.13. Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [pascal7]
- Le silence éternel de ces espaces infinis m'effraye.: Pensées, XXV.17. Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [pascal25]
- Chacun est un tout à soi-même, car lui mort, le tout est mort pour soi.: Pensées, XXV.19. Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [pascal25]
- Il faut cultiver notre jardin.: Candide, chapter XXX. Original text checked against the linked source; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling is lightly modernized where explicitly noted. [candide]
- La passion fait souvent un fou du plus habile homme, et rend souvent habiles les plus sots.: Maximes, VI (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Il n'y a point de déguisement qui puisse longtemps cacher l'amour où il est, ni le feindre où il n'est pas.: Maximes, LXX (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Il n'y a que d'une sorte d'amour, mais il y en a mille différentes copies.: Maximes, LXXIV (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Il en est du véritable amour comme de l'apparition des esprits : tout le monde en parle, mais peu de gens en ont vu.: Maximes, LXXVI (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Le plaisir de l'amour est d'aimer ; et l'on est plus heureux par la passion que l'on a que par celle que l'on donne.: Maximes, CCLXVII (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- On a bien de la peine à rompre, quand on ne s'aime plus.: Maximes, CCCLVIII (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Le cœur a ses raisons, que la raison ne connaît point.: Pensées, Didiot 1896, p. 80, VI. Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [pascal-heart]
- Il est plus honteux de se défier de ses amis que d'en être trompé.: Maximes, LXXXIV (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- L'envie est détruite par la véritable amitié, et la coquetterie par le véritable amour.: Maximes, CCCXCVIII (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Nous pardonnons aisément à nos amis les défauts qui ne nous regardent pas.: Maximes, CCCCL (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Parce que c’était lui, parce que c’était moi.: Essais, De l’amitié. Original text checked against the linked source; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling is lightly modernized where explicitly noted. [montaigne-friend]
- Nous nous embrassions par nos noms.: Essais, De l’amitié. Original text checked against the linked source; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling is lightly modernized where explicitly noted. [montaigne-friend]
- L'amour-propre est le plus grand de tous les flatteurs.: Maximes, II (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Quelques découvertes que l'on ait faites dans le pays de l'amour-propre, il y reste encore bien des terres inconnues.: Maximes, III (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- L'amour-propre est plus habile que le plus habile homme du monde.: Maximes, IV (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Notre amour-propre souffre plus impatiemment la condamnation de nos goûts que de nos opinions.: Maximes, XIII (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- L'amour de la justice n'est, en la plupart des hommes, que la crainte de souffrir l'injustice.: Maximes, LXXVIII (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Comment prétendons-nous qu'un autre garde notre secret si nous ne pouvons le garder nous-mêmes ?: Maximes, LXXXVII (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- La gravité est un mystère du corps, inventé pour cacher les défauts de l'esprit.: Maximes, CCLXV (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- La flatterie est une fausse monnaie qui n'a de cours que par notre vanité.: Maximes, CCLXVI (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Lorsque notre haine est trop vive, elle nous met au-dessous de ceux que nous haïssons.: Maximes, CCCXLV (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Chacun trouve à redire en autrui ce qu'on trouve à redire en lui.: Maximes, CCCLXXI (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Nous gagnerions plus de nous laisser voir tels que nous sommes, que d'essayer de paraître ce que nous ne sommes pas.: Maximes, CCCCLXXX (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Connaissons donc notre portée ; nous sommes quelque chose et ne sommes pas tout.: Pensées, I.1. Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [pascal1]
- L'homme n'est qu'un roseau, le plus faible de la nature, mais c'est un roseau pensant.: Pensées, I.6. Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [pascal1]
- Il y a beaucoup de différence entre l'esprit de géométrie et l'esprit de finesse.: Pensées, VII.2. Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [pascal7]
- On se persuade mieux, pour l'ordinaire, par les raisons qu'on a soi-même trouvées, que par celles qui sont venues dans l'esprit des autres.: Pensées, VII.10. Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [pascal7]
- La dernière démarche de la raison, c'est de connaître qu'il y a une infinité de choses qui la surpassent.: Pensées, XIII.1. Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [pascal13]
- Apprenez que tout flatteur vit aux dépens de celui qui l'écoute.: Fables I.2, Le Corbeau et le Renard (1668). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [corbeau]
- La raison du plus fort est toujours la meilleure.: Fables I.10, Le Loup et l’Agneau (1668). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [loup]
- La magnanimité méprise tout pour avoir tout.: Maximes, CCLVI (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- La véritable éloquence consiste à dire tout ce qu'il faut, et à ne dire que ce qu'il faut.: Maximes, CCLVIII (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Nous pouvons paraître grands dans un emploi au-dessous de notre mérite ; mais nous paraissons souvent petits dans un emploi plus grand que nous.: Maximes, CCCCXLI (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- La confiance fournit plus à la conversation que l'esprit.: Maximes, CCCCXLIII (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Travaillons donc à bien penser : voilà le principe de la morale.: Pensées, I.6. Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [pascal1]
- Il faut savoir douter où il faut, assurer où il faut et se soumettre où il faut.: Pensées, XIII.1. Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [pascal13]
- Rien ne sert de courir ; il faut partir à point.: Fables VI.10, Le Lièvre et la Tortue (1668). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [lievre]
- La valeur n’attend point le nombre des années.: Le Cid, II.2, line 406. Original text checked against the linked source; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling is lightly modernized where explicitly noted. [cid2]
- À vaincre sans péril, on triomphe sans gloire.: Le Cid, II.2, line 434. Original text checked against the linked source; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling is lightly modernized where explicitly noted. [cid2]
- Travaillons sans raisonner.: Candide, chapter XXX. Original text checked against the linked source; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling is lightly modernized where explicitly noted. [candide]
- Le silence est le parti le plus sûr pour celui qui se défie de soi-même.: Maximes, LXXIX (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Notre défiance justifie la tromperie d'autrui.: Maximes, LXXXVI (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Tout le monde se plaint de sa mémoire, et personne ne se plaint de son jugement.: Maximes, LXXXIX (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- L'intérêt met en œuvre toutes sortes de vertus et de vices.: Maximes, CCLXI (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- On donne des conseils, mais on n'inspire point de conduite.: Maximes, CCCC (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Peu de gens savent être vieux.: Maximes, CCCCXLV (1817 edition). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [maximes]
- Trop de plaisir incommode.: Pensées, I.1. Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [pascal1]
- Toute notre dignité consiste donc en la pensée.: Pensées, I.6. Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [pascal1]
- La mémoire est nécessaire pour toutes les opérations de l'esprit.: Pensées, XXV.14. Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [pascal25]
- Instinct et raison, marques de deux natures.: Pensées, XXV.15. Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [pascal25]
- Je plie et ne romps pas.: Fables I.22, Le Chêne et le Roseau (1668). Original-language public-domain text; English translation by Inklingo. Historical spelling and punctuation are lightly normalized where noted in the page editorial note. [chene]