Jules Renard Quotes

Powerful Jules Renard for Daily Growth

About Jules Renard

Jules Renard (1864-1910), a renowned French author, was born on August 27, 1864, in Vendôme, Loir-et-Cher, France. He was the son of a school teacher and grew up in a family that encouraged intellectual pursuits. His early life was marked by frequent moves due to his father's job transfers, which contributed to his development of a vivid imagination. Renard's works were deeply influenced by his experiences in the military, where he served from 1884 to 1893. His service during the Dreyfus Affair sparked his interest in social and political issues, reflected in his later works. He was also inspired by the natural world and rural life, which can be seen in his animal fables. Renard's literary career began in 1890 with the publication of "Le petit café" in the newspaper Le Rire. His first collection of short stories, "Contes à de Broussaille," was published in 1892. However, he is best known for his animal fables collected in "Contes à la portugaise" (1898) and "Contes à Nioufé" (1906), which brought him critical acclaim. These fables are witty, insightful, and often satirical, reflecting Renard's keen observation of human nature. Renard's major works also include novels such as "Le maître-nage" (1895) and "Monsieur de Nantouillet" (1903), plays like "La petite Lili" (1903), and essays, including "Un artiste à part: Coquelin cadet" (1904). Despite his success, Renard suffered from poor health throughout his life. He died on January 25, 1910, in Paris. His works continue to be celebrated for their wit, humor, and insightful commentary on society.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Everyone smiles in the same language."

Jules Renard's quote, "Everyone smiles in the same language," emphasizes the universality of human emotions, particularly joy and happiness, which can be expressed through a universal gesture like smiling. This quote suggests that regardless of one's culture, nationality, or background, there are certain expressions we share as humans that transcend linguistic barriers, fostering unity and empathy among us all.


"The art of conversation is the art of hearing as well as of being heard."

This quote highlights the importance of active listening in effective communication. It suggests that a meaningful conversation isn't just about expressing one's own thoughts, but also about genuinely listening to what others have to say. By focusing on both speaking and hearing, we can foster understanding, empathy, and deeper connections with those around us.


"Life is short and time passes quickly, and if you do not seize it, it will be lost forever."

This quote highlights the fleeting nature of life and encourages one to make the most of each moment, as time waits for no one. It emphasizes that opportunities can slip away if we're not proactive in seizing them, so it's essential to take action instead of regretting lost chances later on.


"It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles."

This quote emphasizes the value of self-mastery over external achievements or victories. It suggests that inner peace, self-control, and personal growth are more important and long-lasting than temporary triumphs over others or in external situations. The implication is that conquering oneself – through discipline, patience, empathy, and introspection – leads to a more fulfilling and balanced life, compared to simply amassing victories or successes.


"He who can take advice is sometimes superior to he who can give it."

This quote emphasizes the value of being receptive to advice. The ability to accept guidance demonstrates a level of humility, open-mindedness, and maturity that surpasses those who only offer advice without considering its applicability to their own circumstances. In essence, Renard suggests that those who can effectively incorporate wisdom from others may prove to be more capable or successful than those who believe they already know everything.


It doesn't pay to say too much when you are mad enough to choke. For the word that stings the deepest is the word that is never spoke, Let the other fellow wrangle till the storm has blown away, then he'll do a heap of thinking about the things you didn't say.

- Jules Renard

Anger, Other, Till, Mad

Man who waits for roast duck to fly into mouth must wait very, very long time.

- Jules Renard

Wait, Very, Very Long Time, Duck

Failure is not our only punishment for laziness; there is also the success of others.

- Jules Renard

Success, Failure, Only, Punishment

Love is like an hourglass, with the heart filling up as the brain empties.

- Jules Renard

Love, Like, Hourglass, Filling

We are so happy to advise others that occasionally we even do it in their interest.

- Jules Renard

Happy, Interest, Even, Advise

Words are the coins making up the currency of sentences, and there are always too many small coins.

- Jules Renard

Small, Always, Making, Currency

Talent is a matter of quantity. Talent does not write on page, it writes three hundred.

- Jules Renard

Quantity, Hundred, Does, Writes

I finally know what distinguishes man from the other beasts: financial worries.

- Jules Renard

Finance, Other, Worries, Distinguishes

An optimist is a driver who thinks that empty space at the curb won't have a hydrant beside it.

- Jules Renard

Optimist, Driver, Hydrant, Beside

A beautiful line of verse has twelve feet, and two wings.

- Jules Renard

Beautiful, Feet, Line, Verse

There are moments when everything goes well, but don't be frightened.

- Jules Renard

Moments, Goes, Well, Frightened

The ideal of calm exists in a sitting cat.

- Jules Renard

Calm, Cat, Ideal, Sitting

Don't tell a woman she's pretty; tell her there's no other woman like her, and all roads will open to you.

- Jules Renard

Woman, Pretty, Other, Open

The danger of success is that it makes us forget the world's dreadful injustice.

- Jules Renard

World, Injustice, Forget, Dreadful

Truth makes many appeals, not the least of which is its power to shock.

- Jules Renard

Truth, Shock, Which, Appeals

Socialism must come down from the brain and reach the heart.

- Jules Renard

Reach, Come, Must, Socialism

As I grow to understand life less and less I grow to love it more and more.

- Jules Renard

Love, Grow, More, To Love

We spend our lives talking about this mystery. Our life.

- Jules Renard

Mystery, Lives, Spend, Our Lives

The only man who is really free is the one who can turn down an invitation to dinner without giving an excuse.

- Jules Renard

Giving, Turn, Invitation, Dinner

On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it.

- Jules Renard

Nature, Earth, Pieces, Heaven

The story I am writing exists, written in absolutely perfect fashion, some place, in the air. All I must do is find it, and copy it.

- Jules Renard

Perfect, Some, Air, Exists

I don't know if God exists, but it would be better for His reputation if He didn't.

- Jules Renard

Better, His, Would, Exists

I am not sincere, even when I say I am not.

- Jules Renard

I Am, Say, Even, Sincere

Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired.

- Jules Renard

Funny, Habit, Resting, Laziness

Writing is the only profession where no one considers you ridiculous if you earn no money.

- Jules Renard

Ridiculous, Profession, Considers

Everything you want is out there waiting for you to ask. Everything you want also wants you. But you have to take action to get it.

- Jules Renard

Inspirational, Waiting, Take, Action

The reward of great men is that, long after they have died, one is not quite sure that they are dead.

- Jules Renard

Men, Reward, Sure, Quite

Fame is a constant effort.

- Jules Renard

Fame, Constant, Effort

If you are afraid of being lonely, don't try to be right.

- Jules Renard

Try, Afraid, Being, Lonely

There are places and moments in which one is so completely alone that one sees the world entire.

- Jules Renard

Alone, Places, Which, Sees

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.