Summary:
This is a collection of French sayings which should remind us English speakers that “great minds think alike” and that a sharp observation is always an enjoyable idea to behold, regardless of which language it is made in.

Details or Sample:
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

Dans les grandes choses, les hommes se montrent comme il leur convient de se montrer ; dans les petites, ils se montrent comme ils sont.
When it comes to big matters, people show themselves as how they wish to be seen. When it comes to the little things, they show themselves for what they are.
Chamfort

L’amour-propre est un ballon gonflé de vent dont il sort des tempêtes quand on y fait une piqûre.
Self-love is an inflated balloon that pops as soon as you prick it.
Voltaire

Le vrai bonheur coûte peu ; s’il est cher, il n’est pas d’une bonne espèce.
True happiness costs little. If it is expensive, it is not the proper kind.
Chateaubriand

Je pardonne aux gens de n’être pas de mon avis, je ne leur pardonne pas de n’être pas du leur.
I can forgive others for not being of my opinion, but I cannot forgive them for not being of their own.
Talleyrand

Les hommes ne croient jamais les autres capables de ce qu’ils ne le sont pas eux-mêmes.
People never believe that others are capable of doing the things that they themselves are incapable of doing.
Paul de Gondi

Pour la plupart des hommes, se corriger consiste à changer de défauts.
For most people, turning a new leaf means acquiring a new vice.
Voltaire

Généralement, les gens qui savent peu parlent beaucoup, et les gens qui savent beaucoup parlent peu.
Generally speaking, the ones who know a little talk a lot and the ones who know a lot talk a little.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Purchase this content for your website...

Pricing:
Usage:	$15	[Add to Cart]

Downloads: 0
Written by: clarsonimus
Available File Types:Text
Words: 1590