Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) was the most famous French fabulist and one of the most widely read French poets of the 17th century. He is known above all for his Fables, which provided a model for subsequent fabulists across Europe and numerous alternative versions in France, and in French regional languages.
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A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Fate, Self-Discovery
Even if misfortune is only good for bringing a fool to his senses, it would still be just to deem it good for something.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Difficulties, Adversity
The more wary you are of danger, the more likely you are to meet it.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Optimism, Positive Attitudes
Death never takes the wise man by surprise; he is always ready to go.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Dying, Death
Beware, so long as you live, of judging men by their outward appearance.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Appearance, Appearances
Patience and time do more than strength or passion.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Patience, Time
He knows the universe and does not know himself.
—Jean de La Fontaine
Topics: Identity, Self-Knowledge, Awareness
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