Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources / Including Phrases, Mottoes, Maxims, Proverbs, Definitions, Aphorisms, and Sayings of Wise Men, in Their Bearing on Life, Literature, Speculation, Science, Art, Religion, and Morals, Especially in the Modern Aspects of Them

by Rev. James Wood

J'ai toujours vu que, pour réussir dans le 35 monde, il fallait avoir l'air fou et être sage—I have always observed that to succeed in the world a man must seem simple but be wise. Montesquieu.

J'ai trouvé chaussure à mon pied—I have found a good berth (lit. shoes for my feet). Fr. Pr.

J'ai vécu—I existed through it all (the Reign of Terror). Siéyès.

J'ai voulu voir, j'ai vu—I wish to see, and have seen. Racine.

J'aime mieux ma mie—I love my lass better. A French Old Song.

J'appelle un chat un chat, et Rolet un fripon—I 40 call a cat a cat, and Rolet a knave. Boileau.

J'embrasse mon rival, mais c'est pour l'étouffer—I press my rival to my heart, but it is to smother him. Corneille.

J'en passe et des meilleurs—I pass by them, and better than they. Victor Hugo.

J'étais poète, historien, / Et maintenant je ne suis rien—I was once a poet and a historian, and now I am nothing. Boudier, for his epitaph.

J'étais pour Ovide à quinze ans, / Mais je suis pour Horace à trente—I was for Ovid at fifteen, but I am for Horace at thirty. Ducerceau.