Quotes by Molière

Trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit.

It infuriates me to be wrong when I know Im right.

Its as if you think youd never findReason and the Sacred intertwined

Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for love, and then for a few close friends, and then for money.

A learned fool is more a fool than an ignorant fool.

The world, dear Agnes, is a strange affair.

I become quite melancholy and deeply grieved to see men behave to each other as they do. Everywhere I find nothing but base flattery, injustice , self-interest, deceit and roguery. I cannot bear it any longer; Im furious; and my intention is to break with all mankind.

We ought to punish pitilessly that shameful pretence of friendly intercourse. I like a man to be a man, and to show on all occasions the bottom of his heart in his discourse. Let that be the thing to speak, and never let our feelings be beneath vain compliments

There is nothing I detest so much as the contortions of these great time-and-lip servers, these affable dispensers of meaningless embraces, these obliging utterers of empty words, who view every one in civilities

You may plainly perceive the traitor through his mask; he is well known every-where in his true colors; his rolling eyes and his honeyed tones impose only on those who do not know him. People are aware that this low-bred fellow, who deserves to be pilloried, has, by the dirtiest jobs, made his way in the world; and that the splendid position he has acquired makes merit repine and virtue blush. Yet whatever dishonourable epithets may be launched against him everywhere, nobody defends his wretched honour. Call him a rogue, an infamous wretch, a confounded scoundrel if you like, all the world will say “yea, ” and no one contradicts you. But for all that, his bowing and scraping are welcome everywhere; he is received, smiled upon, and wriggles himself into all kinds of society; and, if any appointment is to be secured by intriguing, he will carry the day over a man of the greatest worth. Zounds! these are mortal stabs to me, to see vice parleyed with; and sometimes times I feel suddenly inclined to fly into a wilderness far from the approach of men.

If perchance a friend should betray you; if he forms a subtle plot to get hold of what is yours; if people should try to spread evil reports about you, would you tamely submit to all this without flying into a rage?

A wise man is superior to any insults which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation.

My hate is general, I detest all men;Some because they are wicked and do evil,Others because they tolerate the wicked,Refusing them the active vigorous scornWhich vice should stimulate in virtuous minds.

Why put yourself in charge of Heavens cause?Does Heaven need our help to enforce its laws?

Betrayed and wronged in everything,I’ll flee this bitter world where vice is king,And seek some spot unpeopled and apartWhere I’ll be free to have an honest heart.

Grammar, which knows how to control even kings.

The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.

Man, I can assure you, is a nasty creature.

Malicious men may die, but malice never.

Writing is a little bit like prostitution. First you do it for love. Then you do it for a few friends. Then you do it for money.