Quotes and anectdotes from the wise to the foolish, and the courageous to the drunk

Anatole France Novelist

  • Gender: Male
  • Citizenship: France
  • Born: Apr 16, 1844
  • Died: Oct 12, 1924

Anatole France was a French poet, journalist, and novelist. He was born in Paris, and died in Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire. He was a successful novelist, with several best-sellers. Ironic and skeptical, he was considered in his day the ideal French man of letters. He was a member of the Académie française, and won the 1921 Nobel Prize for Literature "in recognition of his brilliant literary achievements, characterized as they are by a nobility of style, a profound human sympathy, grace, and a true Gallic temperament".

France is also widely believed to be the model for narrator Marcel's literary idol Bergotte in Marcel Proust's In Search of Lost Time.

I prefer the folly of enthusiasm to the indifference of wisdom. wisdom

The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread. equality

The truth is that life is delicious, horrible, charming, frightful, sweet, bitter, and that is everything. truth

Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened. pet

An education which does not cultivate the will is an education that depraves the mind. education

Lovers who love truly do not write down their happiness. happiness

Nine tenths of education is encouragement. education

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream not only plan, but also believe. dreams & great

Irony is the gaiety of reflection and the joy of wisdom. wisdom

Only men who are not interested in women are interested in women's clothes. Men who like women never notice what they wear. men & women

Nature has no principles. She makes no distinction between good and evil. nature

History books that contain no lies are extremely dull. history

That man is prudent who neither hopes nor fears anything from the uncertain events of the future. fear & future

The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards. art & teacher

It is human nature to think wisely and act in an absurd fashion. nature

In art as in love, instinct is enough. art & love

We reproach people for talking about themselves but it is the subject they treat best. best

To imagine is everything, to know is nothing at all. imagination

Religion has done love a great service by making it a sin. great & religion

Chance is perhaps the pseudonym of God when he did not want to sign. God