Molière's most famous lines
The top 3 according to 7 votes from people: What the devil was he doing in that galley? · Cover that bosom, which I must not see. · Ah! Though I am devout, I am no less a man.. (Updated Apr 17, 2024.)
The lines from Molière's plays that became part of the French language, from Tartuffe to Scapin, with the play and the character who says each one.
Automatically translated (original in Français). See the original
Top 12
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1
What the devil was he doing in that galley?
Géronte in Scapin the Schemer (1671), Act II. Still said of anyone caught in a mess.
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2
Cover that bosom, which I must not see.
Tartuffe to Dorine in Tartuffe (1664), Act III: the hypocrite's most famous line.
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3
Ah! Though I am devout, I am no less a man.
Tartuffe to Elmire in Tartuffe (1664), Act III.
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4
If the cap fits, wear it. (Literally: whoever feels snotty, let him blow his nose.)
La Flèche in The Miser (1668), Act I.
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5
I want people to be sincere, and, as men of honour, never say a word that doesn't come from the heart.
Alceste to Philinte in The Misanthrope (1666), Act I.
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6
He who wants to drown his dog accuses it of rabies.
Martine in The Learned Ladies (1672), Act II: any excuse will do to get rid of someone.
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7
It is a strange business, making decent people laugh.
Dorante in The Critique of The School for Wives (1663): Molière defending comedy.
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8
One must eat to live, not live to eat.
Valère in The Miser (1668), Act III.
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9
A friend of all mankind is no friend of mine.
Alceste in The Misanthrope (1666), Act I.
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10
A learned fool is more of a fool than an ignorant one.
Clitandre in The Learned Ladies (1672), Act IV.
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11
Nearly all men die of their remedies, not of their illnesses.
Béralde in The Imaginary Invalid (1673), Act III, Molière's last play.
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12
The ancients, sir, are the ancients, and we are the people of today.
Angélique in The Imaginary Invalid (1673), Act II.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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