I always do the first line well, but I have trouble doing the others.
MoliereRead
Some of the most famous books are the least worth reading. Their fame was due to their having done something that needed to be doing in their day. The work is done and the virtue of the book has expired.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Famous books may not always hold lasting value, as their relevance can diminish over time.
This quote by Moliere suggests that some books gain fame and recognition not necessarily because of their literary quality, but because they addressed specific issues or ideas relevant to their time. Once the societal context that made these works notable has passed, their significance may fade, indicating that the value of literature can be both time-bound and transient.
Themes
BooksFameLiteratureValueTime
In practice
Example use cases
In a book club discussion, one might reference this quote to highlight how some acclaimed works may not hold up under scrutiny.
More from Moliere
All quotes →Beauty without intelligence is like a hook without bait.
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Betrayed and wronged in everything, I’ll flee this bitter world where vice is king, And seek some spot unpeopled and apart Where I’ll be free to have an honest heart. - Molière, The Misanthrope
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Long is the road from conception to completion.
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Oh, I may be devout, but I am human all the same.
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Hypocrisy is a fashionable vice, and all fashionable vices pass for virtue.
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