i12bent:

French Nobel Literature Laureate, anno 1921, Anatole France (b. April 16, 1844 – 1924) was considered the perfect suave man of letters with a superb command of wit and irony…

The Prize was awarded him “in recognition of his brilliant literary achievements, characterized as they are by a nobility of style, a profound human sympathy, grace, and a true Gallic temperament” – not the type of motivation one would hear today…

Glib, apolitical France quotes:

“I prefer the folly of enthusiasm to the indifference of wisdom.”

“Irony is the gaiety of reflection and the joy of wisdom.”

“Nine tenths of education is encouragement.”

“All religions breed crime.” (Thaïs)

“The people who have no weaknesses are terrible: there is no way of taking advantage of them.” (The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard)

“It is human nature to think wisely and act in an absurd fashion.”

(Photo: Anatole chez lui)