“It is in vain a daring author thinks of attaining to the heights of Parnassus if he does not feel the secret influence of heaven and if his natal star has not formed him to be a poet.” IfsThinkingFeelsDoeHeavenStarsSecretInfluencePoetVainHeightDaringAuthorshipNatal Author:Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux
“A proud bigot, who is vain enough to think that he can deceive even God by affected zeal, and throwing the veil of holiness over vices, damns all mankind by the word of his power.” ThinkingEnoughMankindProudVicesVainHolinessBigotryAffectedThrowingDeceivingVeilsZealBigots 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