Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux

Whate'er is well conceived is clearly said, And the words to say it flow with ease.

Every age has its pleasures, its style of wit, and its own ways.

But satire, ever moral, ever new, Delights the reader and instructs him, too. She, if good sense refine her sterling page, Oft shakes some rooted folly of the age.

Nothing but truth is lovely, nothing fair.

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.

Greatest fools are oft most satisfied.

Happy who in his verse can gently steer From grave to light, from pleasant to severe.

Of all the creatures that creep, swim, or fly, Peopling the earth, the waters, and the sky, From Rome to Iceland, Paris to Japan, I really think the greatest fool is man.

If your descent is from heroic sires, Show in your life a remnant of their fires.

Honor is like an island, rugged and without a beach, once we have left it, we can never return.