Jean De La Fontaine Quotes

Powerful Jean De La Fontaine for Daily Growth

About Jean De La Fontaine

Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695) was a renowned French fabulist, poet, and literary giant of the 17th century. Born on February 8, 1621, in Château-Thierry, France, he was the son of a notary named François de La Fontaine. His early life was marked by a passion for literature, which he nurtured through self-study and reading works from authors such as Ovid, Aesop, Virgil, and La Bruyère. In 1643, La Fontaine moved to Paris where he worked in the King's offices and began publishing his first poems. However, it was his encounter with Charles Perrault in 1657 that proved to be a significant turning point in his career. Perrault introduced him to Mmes de Sablonnières, influential patrons who became crucial supporters of La Fontaine. La Fontaine is best known for his collection of fables titled "Fables" (published between 1668 and 1694). These fables, based on the tales of Aesop, were written in verse and are considered a masterpiece of French literature. They offer moral lessons through the use of animals as characters, making them accessible and relatable to a wide audience. Influenced by the philosophy of the time, particularly that of the Stoics, La Fontaine's fables reflect his views on life, morality, and human nature. His work was not only praised for its literary merit but also for its social commentary, making him a voice of reason during tumultuous times. La Fontaine died in Château-Thierry on April 13, 1695, having left an indelible mark on French literature. His fables continue to be read and admired worldwide, standing as timeless pieces that reflect the universal truths of human existence.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The world is full of trickery. Be sincere, then."

This quote emphasizes the importance of authenticity and honesty in a world often characterized by deceit and manipulation. By remaining sincere, one can stand out from the crowd, build trust with others, and foster genuine connections that are meaningful and long-lasting.


"Be patient; all things are difficult before they become easy."

This quote by Jean de La Fontaine underscores the inherent difficulty in mastering new skills or tackling challenging tasks. He suggests that initially, everything seems hard, requiring patience and perseverance. Over time, as one practices and gains experience, things become easier and more manageable. The quote encourages us to embrace the struggle at the beginning of any endeavor, knowing that with effort and persistence, we can eventually master it.


"Each day provides its own sunshine."

This quote by Jean de La Fontaine emphasizes the importance of finding joy and positivity in each day, regardless of external circumstances. Every day offers a fresh start and the potential for new experiences, opportunities, or moments of happiness. It encourages us to appreciate the simple pleasures of life and maintain a hopeful outlook on each new day that comes our way.


"An apple will always fall in the direction it was pushed."

This quote by Jean de La Fontaine suggests that actions have consequences, and those consequences will naturally unfold without interference or manipulation. The metaphor of an apple falling to the ground emphasizes that our choices (pushing the apple) will lead to predictable outcomes (where it lands). In essence, we are responsible for our actions, and the results they produce should not be underestimated or overlooked.


"The last thing one discovers in composing a fable is what to put first."

This quote by Jean de La Fontaine suggests that the creation of a fable, or any piece of work, often requires a process of exploration and discovery before the true essence, the core idea or message, becomes apparent. The "first" thing here doesn't necessarily mean chronologically but rather refers to the fundamental element that sets the tone for the rest of the story or work. Understanding this key aspect is crucial in effectively communicating the intended meaning to readers or listeners.


A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Future, Destiny, Took, Person

Rare as is true love, true friendship is rarer.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Love, Friendship, Rarer

Everyone calls himself a friend, but only a fool relies on it; nothing is commoner than the name, nothing rarer than the thing.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Nothing, Everyone, Commoner, Rarer

Man is so made that when anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Fires, Made, His, Impossibilities

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.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Love, Will, Abuse, Animated

Friendship is the shadow of the evening, which increases with the setting sun of life.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Friendship, Which, Increases, Setting Sun

Better a living beggar than a buried emperor.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Living, Better, Than, Emperor

The fastidious are unfortunate; nothing satisfies them.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Unfortunate, Satisfies, Fastidious

Beware, so long as you live, of judging men by their outward appearance.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Wisdom, Appearance, Beware, Outward

We must laugh before we are happy, for fear we die before we laugh at all.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Happy, Die, Before, Laugh

Be advised that all flatterers live at the expense of those who listen to them.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Live, Expense, Them, Advised

Neither wealth or greatness render us happy.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Greatness, Wealth, Neither, Render

Nothing is more dangerous than a friend without discretion; even a prudent enemy is preferable.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Discretion, Preferable, Even, Prudent

Nothing is as dangerous as an ignorant friend; a wise enemy is to be preferred.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Wise, Ignorant, Nothing, Preferred

We read on the foreheads of those who are surrounded by a foolish luxury, that fortune sells what she is thought to give.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Give, Surrounded, Read, Foolish

The argument of the strongest is always the best.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Best, Argument, Always, Strongest

The strongest passion is fear.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Fear, Passion, Strongest

Help thyself and Heaven will help thee.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Help, Will, Thee, Thyself

It is a double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Pleasure, Double, Deceive, Deceiver

It is twice the pleasure to deceive the deceiver.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Pleasure, Deceive, Twice, Deceiver

A pessimist and an optimist, so much the worse; so much the better.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Optimist, Better, Worse, Pessimist

People who make no noise are dangerous.

- Jean de La Fontaine

People, Dangerous, Make, Noise

There is nothing useless to men of sense.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Men, Nothing, Sense, Useless

Dressed in the lion's skin, the ass spread terror far and wide.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Far, Terror, Wide, Lion

One returns to the place one came from.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Place, Came, Returns

Death never takes the wise man by surprise, he is always ready to go.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Surprise, Never, Always, Wise Man

Never sell the bear's skin before one has killed the beast.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Never, Sell, Before, Bear

Every journalist owes tribute to the evil one.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Journalist, Owes, Every, Evil

I bend and do not break.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Break, Bend

Everyone has his faults which he continually repeats: neither fear nor shame can cure them.

- Jean de La Fontaine

Shame, Which, Repeats, Neither

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.