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John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.

Page 986

 
 
Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux. (1636–1711) (continued)
 
9580
    Every age has its pleasures, its style of wit, and its own ways.
          The Art of Poetry. Canto iii. Line 374.
9581
    He [Molière] pleases all the world, but cannot please himself.
          Satire 2.
9582
    “There, take,” says Justice, “take ye each a shell;
We thrive at Westminster on fools like you.
’T was a fat oyster! live in peace,—adieu.” 1
          Epître ii.
 
Alain René Le Sage. (1668–1747)
 
9583
    It may be said that his wit shines at the expense of his memory. 2
          Gil Blas. Book iii. Chap. xi.
9584
    I wish you all sorts of prosperity with a little more taste.
          Gil Blas. Book vii. Chap. iv.
9585
    Isocrates was in the right to insinuate, in his elegant Greek expression, that what is got over the Devil’s back is spent under his belly. 3
          Gil Blas. Book viii. Chap. ix.
9586
    Facts are stubborn things. 4
          Gil Blas. Book x. Chap. i.
9587
    Plain as a pike-staff. 5
          Gil Blas. Book xii. Chap. viii.
 
François Marie Arouet de Voltaire. (1694–1778)
 
9588
    If there were no God, it would be necessary to invent him. 6
          Epître à l’Auteur du Livre des Trois Imposteurs. cxi.
9589
    The king [Frederic] has sent me some of his dirty linen to wash; I will wash yours another time. 7
          Reply to General Manstein.
9590
    Men use thought only as authority for their injustice, and employ speech only to conceal their thoughts. 8
          Dialogue xiv. Le Chapon et la Poularde (l763).
 
Note 1.
See Pope, Quotation 225. [back]
Note 2.
See Sheridan, Quotation 41. [back]
Note 3.
See Rabelais, Quotation 48. [back]
Note 4.
See Smollett, Quotation 3. [back]
Note 5.
See Middleton, Quotation 12. [back]
Note 6.
See Tillotson, Quotation 1. [back]
Note 7.
Voltaire writes to his niece Dennis, July 24, 1752, “Voilà le roi qui m’envoie son linge à blanchir.” [back]
Note 8.
See Young, Quotation 64. [back]