“Le plus fidele traducfceur
Est celui qui semble moins l’être.
Qui suit pas a pas son auteur,
N’est qu’un valet qui suit son maitre.”
“’Tis true enough, though it may seem absurd,
That literal rendering is not true translating.
He who his author follows word by word,
Is but a footman on his master waiting.”
“Le plus fort n’est jamais assez fort pour être toujours le maitre, s’il
ne transforme sa force en droit, et l’obeissance en devoir.”
“The strongest is never strong enough to be always master, unless he
transforms his might into right, and obedience into duty.”
“Le plus grand foible des hommes, c’est l’amour qu’ils ont pour la
vie.”
“The greatest weakness of mankind is the love they have for life.”
“Le plus grand secret du bonheur, c’est d’être bien avec soi.”
“The great secret of happiness is to be on good terms with oneself.”
“Le plus heureux passe pour le plus grand, et le public attribue souvent
au merite tous les succes de la fortune.”
“The luckiest passes for the greatest, and the public often attributes to
merit successes which are entirely due to fortune.”
“Le plus sage est celui qui ne pense pas l’être.”
“Wisest is he who knows not he is wise.”
“Le plus sot animal, a mon avis, c’est I’homme.”
“Most foolish of all beasts, methinks, is man.”
“(Car) le poete a pour monnaie
Des etoiles dans son gousset.”
“The poet hath, to serve as coin,
Stars in his waistcoat pocket.”
“Le poete doit peindre et le peintre exprimer.”
“The poet’s pen should paint, the painter’s brush describe.”
“Le poéte ne doit avoir qu’un module, la nature; qu’un guide, la
“The poet should have but one model, nature; but one guide, truth.”
