Quote by Voltaire (FrançoisMarie Arouet)
Satire lies about literary men while they live and eulogy lies about them when they die.French: La satire ment sur les gens de lettres pendant leur vie, et l'eloge ment apres leur mort.
Summary
This quote, attributed to French philosopher and writer Voltaire, suggests that both satire and eulogy can distort the truth about literary figures. Satire might mock and fabricate stories about authors while they are alive, highlighting their flaws or presenting false narratives. On the other hand, eulogies often exaggerate or invent virtues posthumously, painting a glorified image that may not truly reflect the person's actual character. Voltaire's statement underscores the potential for both forms of discourse to deviate from reality, either in an attempt to entertain or to uphold a desired reputation.
Topics
Satire
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