Quotes By Francois Rabelais

Debts and lies are generally mixed together.

Science without conscience is the death of the soul.

Friends, you will notice that in this world there are many more ballocks than men. Remember this.

We always long for the forbidden things, and desire what is denied us.

I place no hope in my strength, nor in my works: but all my confidence is in God my protector, who never abandons those who have put all their hope and thought in him.

Everything comes in time to those who can wait.

There is no truer cause of unhappiness amongst men than, where naturally expecting charity and benevolence, they receive harm and vexation.

Remove idleness from the world and soon the arts of Cupid would perish.

How can I govern others, who can't even govern myself?

Gestures, in love, are incomparably more attractive, effective and valuable than words.

How do you know antiquity was foolish? How do you know the present is wise? Who made it foolish? Who made it wise?

Believe me, 'tis a godlike thing to lend; to owe is a heroic virtue.

Tell the truth and shame the devil.

In their rules there was only one clause: Do what you will.

Time, which wears down and diminishes all things, augments and increases good deeds, because a good turn liberally offered to a reasonable man grows continually through noble thought and memory.

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

It is better to write of laughter than of tears, for laughter is the property of man.

The right moment wears a full head of hair: when it has been missed, you can't get it back; it's bald in the back of the head and never turns around.

I drink no more than a sponge.

There are more old drunkards than old physicians.

When undertaking marriage, everyone must be the judge of his own thoughts, and take counsel from himself.

When I drink, I think; and when I think, I drink.

If you wish to avoid seeing a fool you must first break your looking glass.

Frugality is for the vulgar.

One falls to the ground in trying to sit on two stools.

How shall I be able to rule over others, that have not full power and command of myself?

It is my feeling that Time ripens all things; with Time all things are revealed; Time is the father of truth.

A habit does not a monk make.

Misery is the company of lawsuits.

From the gut comes the strut, and where hunger reigns, strength abstains.