One should oblige everyone to the extent of one's ability. One often needs someone smaller than oneself.
• Book II (1668), fable 11.
• Book II (1668), fable 11.
“
Il faut, autant qu'on peut, obliger tout le monde:
On a souvent besoin d'un plus petit que soi.
• Variant: One often has need of one inferior to himself.
— Jean de La Fontaine
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "Il faut, autant qu'on peut, obliger tout le monde:
On a souvent besoin d'un plus petit que soi.
• Variant: One often has need of one inferior to himself." in the context of "One should oblige everyone to the extent of one's ability. One often needs someone smaller than oneself.
• Book II (1668), fable 11." to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Jean de La Fontaine" (Quotes, Fables (1668–1679), Book II)
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
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About Jean de La Fontaine
Jean de La Fontaine (July 8 1621 – April 13 1695) is a famous French fabulist and the most widely read French poet of the 17th century.
About Jean de La Fontaine
Jean de La Fontaine (July 8 1621 – April 13 1695) is a famous French fabulist and the most widely read French poet of the 17th century.
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