Quotes from Francois Villon

Good talkers are only found in Paris.

I know flies in milk. I know the man by his clothes. I know fair weather from foul. I know the apple by the tree. I know the tree when I see the sap. I know when all is one. I know who labors and who loafs. I know everything but myself.

At break of day I say goodnight.

In my own country I am in a far off land.

Necessité fait gens méprendre Et faim saillir le loup du bois.

In my own country I am in a far off land I am strong but I have no force or power I win all yet remain a loser At break of day I say goodnight When I lie down I have a great fear Of falling.

Where are the snows of yesteryear?

En ce temps que j'ai dit devant, Sur le Noël, morte saison, Que les loups se vivent de vent Et qu'on se tient en sa maison, Pour le frimas, près du tison, Me vint un vouloir de briser La très amoureuse prison Qui faisoit mon cÅ"ur débriser.

Hé ! Dieu, se j'eusse étudié Ou temps de ma jeunesse folle, Et à bonnes mÅ"urs dedié, J'eusse maison et couche molle. Mais quoi ? je fuyoië l'école, Comme fait le mauvais enfant. En écrivant cette parole, À peu que le cÅ"ur ne me fend.

In my own country I am in a far off land. I am strong but have no power. I win all yet remain a loser. At break of day I say goodnight. When I lie down I have great fear of falling.

I die of thirst beside the fountain.

Yet, if the world were bettered by My death or story left untold, I would condemn myself to die For misdemeanours manifold: I bring no harm to young or old Alive or dead, in either case: A man so needy never rolled A mountain from its resting place.

Ou sont les neiges d'antan?

Et Jehanne, la bonne Lorraine, Qu'Anglais brulerent a Rouen, Ou sont-elles, Vierge souv'raine, Mais ou sont les neiges d'antan?

We were two and had but one heart between us.

There's no good speech save in Paris.

But where are the snows of yesteryear?

But pray God that he absolve us all!

Ah God! Had I but studiedIn the days of my foolish youth.

I know all except myself.

In this faith I will to live and die.

But where are the snows of yesteryear?

I know everything except myself