# Fables - Author: [Jean de La Fontaine](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine.md) - Quotes: 39 - Book page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables ## Quotes > A hungry stomach cannot hear. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/a-hungry-stomach.md) > Let ignorance talk as it will, learning has its value. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/let-ignorance-talk.md) > Nothing is as dangerous as an ignorant friend; a wise enemy is to be preferred. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/nothing-is-as-dangerous.md) > Our destiny is frequently met in the very paths we take to avoid it. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/our-destiny-is-frequently.md) > Nothing weighs on us so heavily as a secret. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/nothing-weighs-on.md) > Death never takes the wise man by surprise, he is always ready to go. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/death-never-takes.md) > Man is so made that when anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/man-is-so-made.md) > People who make no noise are dangerous. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/people-who-make.md) > On the wings of Time grief flies away. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/on-the-wings.md) > The ant is no lender; that is the least of her faults. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/the-ant-is-no-lender.md) > There's nothing useless to a man of sense. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/theres-nothing-useless.md) > By the work one knows the workman. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/by-the-work.md) > Never sell the bear's skin before one has killed the beast. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/never-sell-the.md) > To win a race, the swiftness of a dart availeth not without a timely start. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/to-win-a-race.md) > The fastidious are unfortunate; nothing satisfies them. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/the-fastidious-are.md) > Dressed in the lion's skin, the ass spread terror far and wide. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/dressed-in-the.md) > 'Tis thus we heed no instincts but our own; > > Believe no evil till the evil's done. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/tis-thus-we-heed.md) > One should oblige everyone to the extent of one's ability. One often needs someone smaller than oneself. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/one-should-oblige.md) > For thee I'll trace in verses which I write > > Some sketches, paintings which indeed are light, > > And if the prize of pleasing thee I do not bear away, > > At least, the honour I shall have of having tried I say. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/for-thee-ill.md) > The opinion of the strongest is always the best. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/the-opinion-of-the.md) > History some truths contains, which well may serve > > For lessons. In my work you will observe > > Ev'ry thing speaks — yea e'en the very fish — > > And what they say, to ev'ry man a dish > > Serves up; and I of animals make choice > > That men may get instruction from their voice. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/history-some-truths.md) > In everything one must consider the end. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/in-everything-one.md) > Better to suffer than to die: that is mankind's motto. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/better-to-suffer.md) > Be advised that all flatterers live at the expense of those who listen to them. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/be-advised-that.md) > Patience and time do more than strength or passion. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/patience-and-time.md) > It is a double pleasure to deceive the deceiver. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/it-is-a-double.md) > Kindness effects more than severity. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/kindness-effects-more.md) > Love is a cruel conqueror. > > Happy is he who knows him through stories > > And not by his blows! [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/love-is-a-cruel.md) > Beware, as long as you live, of judging people by appearances. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/beware-as-long.md) > In short, luck's always to blame. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/in-short-lucks.md) > The sign brings customers. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/the-sign-brings.md) > It is impossible to please all the world and one's father. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/it-is-impossible.md) > ... a wise man knows > > Gold comes but slowly, quickly goes; > > I never touched it." "Gracious me!" > > Replied the other, "why, then, be > > So wretched? for if you say true, > > You never touched it, plain the case; > > Put back that stone upon the place, > > 'Twill be the very same to you." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/a-wise-man.md) > No path of flowers leads to glory. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/no-path-of-flowers.md) > The fly of the coach. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/the-fly-of-the.md) > "They are too green", he said, "and only good for fools". [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/they-are-too.md) > Je plie, et ne romps pas. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/je-plie-et-ne-romps.md) > Il connaît l’univers, et ne se connaît pas. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/il-connait-lunivers.md) > Aide-toi, le ciel t'aidera. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/aide-toi-le-ciel.md)