Fran §ois Rabelais (ca. 1493 – 1553) Quotes

When I drink, I think; and when I think, I drink. I am going to seek a great perhaps; draw the curtain, the farce is played. (Said on his deathbed)

Speak the truth and shame the Devil.

Do not limp before the lame.

He who has not an adventure has not horse or mule, so says Solomon.–Who is too adventurous, said Echephron,–loses horse and mule.

Between two stools one sits on the ground.

Spare your breath to cool your porridge

I never sleep comfortably except when I am at sermon or when I pray to God.

Always open all gates and roads to your enemies, and rather make for them a bridge of silver, to get rid of them.

God moderates all at His pleasure.

The thing is written. It is true.

What is got over the Devil’s back is spent under the belly

I have known many who could not when they would, for they had not done it when they could.

He replies nothing but monosyllables. I believe he would make three bites of a cherry.

Let us seek the solution of these doubts at the bottom of the inexhaustible well, where Heraclitus says that truth is hidden.

So that we may not be like the Athenians, who never consulted except after the event done.

And there I began to think that it is very true, which is said, that half the world does not know how the other half lives.

What harm in learning and getting knowledge even from a sot, a pot, a fool, a mitten, or a slipper.

When the danger’s past the saint is cheated.

The dress does not make the monk.

One inch of joy surmounts of grief a span, Because to laugh is proper to the man.

Subject to a kind of disease, which at that time they called lack of money.

You are Christians of the best edition, all picked and culled.

Above the pitch, out of tune, and off the hinges.