Jean Racine

The principal rule of art is to please and to move. All the other rules were created to achieve this first one.

Life is a comedy to those who think, a tragedy to those who feel.

To repair the irreparable ravages of time.

According as the man is, so must you humour him.

The quarrels of lovers are the renewal of love.

Is a faith without action a sincere faith?

Too much virtue can be criminal.

There are no secrets that time does not reveal.

Nothing is so difficult but that it may be found out by seeking.

Hell, covering all with its gloomy vapors, has cast shadows on even the holiest eyes.

I have everything, yet have nothing; and although I possess nothing, still of nothing am I in want.

A noble heart cannot suspect in others the pettiness and malice that it has never felt.

Do not they bring it to pass by knowing that they know nothing at all?

Extreme justice is often injustice.

Wrinkles on the brow are the imprints of exploits.

There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it with reluctance.

On the throne, one has many worries; and remorse is the one that weighs the least.

I am a man, and nothing that concerns a man do I deem a matter of indifference to me.

Without money honor is merely a disease.

It behooves a prudent person to make trial of everything before arms.

Love is not a fire to be shut up in a soul. Everything betrays us: voice, silence, eyes; half-covered fires burn all the brighter.

The glory of my name increases my shame. Less known by mortals, I could better escape their eyes.

Have there ever been more submissive slaves? Adoring, even in their irons, the God who punishes them.

A tragedy need not have blood and death; it's enough that it all be filled with that majestic sadness that is the pleasure of tragedy.

Thank the Gods! My misery exceeds all my hopes!

I embrace my rival, but only to strangle him.

My death, taking the light from my eyes, gives back to the day the purity which they soiled.

I know the disposition of women: when you will, they won't; when you won't, they set their hearts upon you of their own inclination.

In fine, nothing is said now that has not been said before.

How good is God! How sweet his yoke!

I have pushed virtue to outright brutality.

If I could believe that this was said sincerely, I could put up with anything.

Justice in the extreme is often unjust.

Many a time a man cannot be such as he would be, if circumstances do not admit of it.

It is a maxim of old that among themselves all things are common to friends.