Famous French Sayings

Famous French sayings make for some of the most influential and often repeated words worldwide. Some French sayings are old ancient proverbs others are more recent sayings from writers and poets.

When to Use Famous Sayings in French

Individuals look up well-known French sayings for a variety of reasons. Writers may be looking for a bit of inspiration, and a few famous French words can do the trick or provide an apt introduction or inclusion in the text. A famous saying or quote in French may also be used in a speech to add interest. Those who are learning the French language can also benefit from knowing some famous saying and incorporating them into their speaking adn writing skills.

When using the saying, be sure understand the meaning and are able to use it appropriately - and if speaking it, that you are able to pronounce it accurately.

Well-Known French Proverbs

France has a very long history and therefore many sources for famous french sayings. Les dictons or proverbs are short phrases that sometimes originated as verse and which were often created to explain events and situations before the Age of Enlightenment introduced science.

French proverbs often relate to various objects or things to emphasize a point or impart wisdom. Proverbs may include relationships to or mention of animals, people, dining and eating, jobs and occupation,or activities and events. In some cases these famous words have morphed into commonly used French expressions.

It is interesting that French speakers and English speakers may use different proverbs or expressions to mean the same idea. Let's explore a few proverbial sayings in French, their translations, and their English equivalents.

• On n'apprend pas aux vieux singes à faire des grimaces.: This is translated as "You cannot teach old monkeys to make faces." This saying may seem a bit humorous at first, but it is similar in meaning to the English phrase "You cannot teach old dogs new tricks." The insight given in this phrase typically doesn't refer to animals at all - but people, implying that once people are set in their ways, they it's difficult to deviate from thei routines and step out of their comfort zones.

• On ne change pas un équipe qui gagne. This French phrase is translated as "One does not change a winning team." The commonly used English equivalent would be something along the lines of "If it's not broken, don't try to fix it," or something similar -- "Leave well enough alone." Trying to change a winning team, like trying to fix a working part, indicates situation that doesn't necessitate intervention (and one that in doing do could possibly cause a problem that wasn't there to begin with).

• Vaut mieux prévenir que guérir. This famous saying in French can be translated as "It is better to prevent than to heal." This is similar to the popular American adage "An ounce or prevention is worth a pound of cure." French or American, these phrases agree that prevention is always worthwhile.

More Proverbial Sayings in French

There are hundreds more French Proverbs you can see for yourself. Have fun reading them and thinking about the similar English phrases we use everyday with some of the resources below:

• Oaks French Proverbs
• French Entree: Using French Proverbs
• Proverbs from French with English Equivalents

Learn or test your proverbs knowledge with French Digital Proverbs Flashcards from Flashcard Exchange.

French Proverbs in English

Many websites list proverbs and sayings of French origin that provide insight or inspiration. However, quotation websites do not always provide the French text for the proverb. If you are looking for words of beauty to convey a message or draw inpsiration from, these may suffice perfectly for your needs. See English text of French proverbs at the following sites:

• Quote Mountain Proverbs: Sayings and advice on life and love.
• One Proverb.net
• World of Quotes

Famous French Sayings From Writers

French writers, poets, and philosophers have provided wit and wisdom that has circulated around the world. Some of the best of these famous sayings are as follows.

• Tout arrive en France.Translated as "Everything happens in France", from Maximes, Reflexions morales by Francois de La Rochefoucauld

• Tout pour un, un pour tout. "All for one, one for all", from Les Trois Mousquetaires(The Three Musketeers) by Alexandre Dumas

• Dis-moi ce que tu manges, je te dirai ce que tu es. "Tell me what you eat and I'll tell you what you are" (You are What You Eat) from Physiologie du gout, Mediation IV, de l'appetit by Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

• Rien ne sert d'être vivant s'il faut qu'on travaille. "Being alive serves no purpose if you have to work" from Nadja, by Andre Breton

• On ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur. "We see well only with the heart" from Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Dangerous Liasons

The famous French writer Georges Sand was great friends with the great writer Gustave Flaubert, author of Madame Bovary. She also had a passionate affair with the writer Alfred de Musset. All three of these well-known writers generated their share of famous sayings.

• La mort n'a peut-être pas plus de secrets a nous révéler que la vie? Translated as : "Perhaps death doesn't have any more secrets to reveal to us than life?" from Correspondence à George Sand by Gustave Flaubert

• Il n'y a qu' un bonheur dans la vie, c'est d'aimer et d'être aimé. Translated as: "There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved." from Correspondence à Lina Calmatta, by Georges Sand.

• Il vaut mieux faire que dire. Translated as: "Doing is better than saying." from Pierre et Camille by Alfred de Musset.

There are many words of love, French humor and wisdom provided by the French. Learn these phrases and your life will be richer for it.

• French Preschool Themes
• Farm Vocabulary
• French Clothing Vocabulary
• Flirting and Dating in France Quiz
• Famous French Celebrities Quiz

• French Love Quotes
• French Love Phrases
• French Sayings
• Famous French Sayings
• How to Say Goodbye in French

• Famous French Musicians
• Famous French Novels
• French Love Quotes
• Famous French Writers
• Famous French Artists