Man is so made that when anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish.
Jean De La FontaineRead
Everyone calls himself a friend, but only a fool relies on it; nothing is commoner than the name, nothing rarer than the thing.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True friendship is rare and cannot be taken for granted, despite many claiming to be friends.
In this quote, Jean De La Fontaine highlights the disparity between the name of friendship and the actual quality of true friendship. He warns that while many individuals may label themselves as friends, the genuine bond of friendship is much rarer, suggesting a prudent approach to trusting others and recognizing that not everyone who claims to be a friend will act as one.
Themes
FriendshipTrustFoolRarityRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of genuine relationships, one could use this quote to emphasize the value of true friendship.
More from Jean De La Fontaine
All quotes βIn everything one must consider the end.
Jean De La FontaineRead
Anyone entrusted with power will abuse it if not also animated with the love of truth and virtue, no matter whether he be a prince, or one of the people.
Jean De La FontaineRead
It is good to be charitable; but to whom? That is the point. As to the ungrateful, there is not one who does not at last die miserable.
Jean De La FontaineRead
Let ignorance talk as it will, learning has its value.
Jean De La FontaineRead
Death never takes the wise man by surprise, he is always ready to go.
Jean De La FontaineRead
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It is one of the major tragedies that nothing is more discomforting than the hearty affection of the Old Friends who never were friends.
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Whatever will happen will happen, but choose your companions with care. Choose them because you like to look at them and you like the sound of their voices, and they have profound secrets in them that you wish to know. In other words, choose them because you love them. Otherwise you will not be able to bear their company for very long.
Anne RiceRead