“Though you be sprung in direct line from Hercules, if you show a lowborn meanness, that long succession of ancestors whom you disgrace are so many witnesses against you; and this grand display of their tarnished glory but serves to make your ignominy more evident.” IfsLongShowsLinesGloryDirectWitnessAncestorDisplayEvidentDisgraceSuccessionAncestryMeannessSprungIgnominy Author:Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux
“Nature always springs to the surface and manages to show what she is. It is vain to stop or try to drive her back. She breaks through every obstacle, pushes forward, and at last makes for herself a way.” WayTryingShowsLastsNatureBreakSpringObstaclesSurfaceManageVainBreak Through Author:Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux
“If your descent is from heroic sires, Show in your life a remnant of their fires.” IfsLifeShowsFireHeroicAncestorAncestryDescentRemnants Author:Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux
“In spite of every sage whom Greece can show, Unerring wisdom never dwelt below; Folly in all of every age we see, The only difference lies in the degree.” ShowsWisdomAgeLyingDifferencesDegreesFollySpiteSageGreece Author:Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux