123 quotes
He that has patience may compass anything.
Gargantua and Pantagruel (1532)
You have there hit the nail on the head.
Gargantua and Pantagruel (1532)
I would have you call to mind the strength of the ancient giants, that undertook to lay the high mountain Pelion on the top of Ossa, and set among those the shady Olympus.
Gargantua and Pantagruel (1532)
War begun without good provision of money beforehand for going through with it is but as a breathing of strength and blast that will quickly pass away. Coin is the sinews of war.
Gargantua and Pantagruel (1532)
Alluring, courtly, comely, fine, complete,
Wise, personable, ravishing, and sweet,
Come joys enjoy. The Lord celestial
Hath given enough wherewith to please us all.
Gargantua and Pantagruel (1532)
Out-strouting cluster-fists, contentious bulls,
Fomenters of divisions and debates,
Elsewhere, not here, make sale of your deceits.
Gargantua and Pantagruel (1532)
A certain jollity of mind, pickled in the scorn of fortune.
Gargantua and Pantagruel (1532)
I have known many who could not when they would, for they had not done it when they could.
Pantagruel (1532)
He replies nothing but monosyllables. I believe he would make three bites of a cherry.
Pantagruel (1532)
These two did oftentimes do the two-backed beast together, joyfully rubbing and frotting their bacon 'gainst one another.
Gargantua (1534)
By robbing Peter he paid Paul, he kept the moon from the wolves, and was ready to catch larks if ever the heavens should fall.
Thought I to myself, we shall never come off scot-free.
Gargantua and Pantagruel (1532)
I have nothing, owe a great deal, and the rest I leave to the poor.
The holy sacred Word,
May it always afford
T' us all in common,
Both man and woman,
A spiritual shield and sword,
The holy sacred Word.
Gargantua and Pantagruel (1532)
A good intention does not mean honor.
Pantagruel (1532)
I do now forgive you, deliver you from all fines and imprisonments, fully release you, set you at liberty, and every way make you as frank and free as ever you were before.
Gargantua and Pantagruel (1532)
Wisdom entereth not into a malicious mind, and … knowledge without conscience is but the ruin of the soul.
One inch of joy surmounts of grief a span,
Because to laugh is proper to the man.
So that we may not be like the Athenians, who never consulted except after the event done.
Pantagruel (1532)
There was left only the monk to provide for, whom Gargantua would have made Abbot of Seville, but he refused it.
Gargantua and Pantagruel (1532)