Nicholas Boileau Quotes

A collection of quotes by Nicholas Boileau.

Nicholas Boileau (1636-1711) was a prominent French poet, critic, and translator during the baroque period. Often referred to as Boileau-Despréaux, he was born in Paris, France, into an affluent family. His father was a government official, which allowed Boileau to receive a good education. He studied at the prestigious College de Beauvais and later at the College d'Harcourt.

Boileau's poetic career began in the mid-1660s when he published his first collection of satirical poems, called "Satires." These works brought him considerable recognition and made him a central figure in the literary circles of Paris. He continued to explore satirical themes in subsequent collections, including "Epistles" and "L'Art poétique," which became his most famous and influential work.

As a critic, Boileau advocated for classical ideals and sought to establish principles of good writing and literary craftsmanship. His critical writings, such as "L'Art poétique" and "Réflexions critiques," greatly influenced the French literary scene and helped shape neoclassical aesthetics of the time.

In addition to his own poetry and criticism, Boileau also made significant contributions as a translator. He translated works by the Roman poet Horace and the Greek playwright Aristotle, introducing their classical ideas to the French literary tradition.

Boileau's influence extended beyond his lifetime, and his theories and poetic practices were widely followed by many writers of the 17th and 18th centuries. Even today, he is acknowledged as one of the foremost figures of French neoclassical literature.