Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux quotes
1636 – 1711 · French classicism, 17th century · Poet, critic and literary theorist
About Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux
Born in Paris in 1636 and died near Paris in 1711, Boileau wrote satirical poetry and prescriptive criticism. Through his Satires and L’Art poétique (1674) he helped codify French classicist ideals—order, restraint and the primacy of clear, disciplined thought in literary composition.
Works: L’Art poétique (1674); Satires
Quotes
“Whatever is well conceived is clearly said, and the words to say it flow with ease.”
Source: L’Art poétique, 1674 · Check the source
Verified attributionWhat we know
- What is documented
- The line appears in L’Art poétique (1674) and is reliably attributed to Nicolas Boileau‑Despréaux.
Boileau’s line states a simple writing truth: clear thinking produces clear expression. It insists that precision of idea, not decorative language, makes writing intelligible. The couplet appears in L’Art poétique (1674).