Another 50 Famous French Quotations

Aspiring Francophiles are not the only ones who can appreciate these interesting observations and witticisms made by French thinkers throughout the centuries. As in an earlier collection touching upon the same subject, these well-known and not so well-known French quotations touch upon a wide variety of topics which bring to light some striking similarities in thinking between the French and American cultures, similarities which have often been ignored in the recent and not so recent past. Although the Franco-American relationship has all too often been characterized as being one of conflict and antagonism, the two long-time allies have actually always had more in common than they realize or would like to admit. And maybe that is the fundamental problem between the two nations. It could be that the regularly conflicting points of view between these two countries lay in the very similarities their peoples share with one another. But whether that is the case or not, this small collection of French sayings should at least remind us that "great minds think alike" and that a sharp observation is always an enjoyable idea to behold, regardless of where it comes from.

L'homme n'est point fait pour méditer, mais pour agir.
Man was not made to meditate, he was made to act.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau

J'ai toujours vu que pour réussir dans le monde, il fallait avoir l'air fou et être sage.
I have always believed that to succeed in life, it is necessary to appear to be mad and to act wisely.
Montesquieu

Si vous voulez vous faire des ennemis, surpassez vos amis ; mais si vous voulez vous faire des alliés, laissez vos amis vous surpasser.
If you want to make enemies, outdo your friends. But if want to allies, let your friends outdo you.
La Rochefoucauld

Les absents ont toujours tort.
Those not present are always wrong.
Destouches