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Ah! what a dangerous gift is a great name!
How happier far a lot unknown to fame!

— Jean-Baptiste-Louis Gresset Vert-Vert (1734)

Ah! qu'un grand nom est un bien dangereux:
Un sort caché fut toujours plus heureux.

Original text (French)

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Notes from Wikiquote

What dangers threaten a great reputation! Far happier the man of lowly station. (tr. King)

Topics

Fame

More quotes by Jean-Baptiste-Louis Gresset

All is wrong, all is right, all the world is content.

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The eagle in one house is in the next a fool.

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Her eyes, for country eyes, are really fine.

Le Méchant (1745)

For our amusement fools are born on earth.

Le Méchant (1745)

All living things are made to be our toys;
Who mocks the world, alone the world enjoys.

Le Méchant (1745)

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Jean-Baptiste-Louis Gresset (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.