Jean de La Fontaine

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

To win a race, the swiftness of a dart availeth not without a timely start.

The fastidious are unfortunate; nothing satisfies them.

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

'Tis thus we heed no instincts but our own;

Believe no evil till the evil's done.

One should oblige everyone to the extent of one's ability. One often needs someone smaller than oneself.

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.

The opinion of the strongest is always the best.

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.

In everything one must consider the end.

Better to suffer than to die: that is mankind's motto.

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