Who said from the sublime to the ridiculous

Although sometimes attributed to the French diplomat Tallyrand or Napoleon, the expression is used much earlier by French historian Jean Francois Marmontel and later by Thomas Paine in The Age of Reason A powerful novel of two unconventional American sisters who volunteer at the front during World War I.

At times, our own light goes out, and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Click Here to find out who said this, as well as discovering other famous literary quotes! Your guide to exceptional books. BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Subscribe to receive some of our best reviews, "beyond the book" articles, book club info and giveaways by email.

Why do we say "From the sublime to the ridiculous"? Well-Known Expressions. Each day she resolved, "To-morrow I will tell Felipe;" and when to-morrow came, she put it off again. This wasn't at all what he meant to say, and it sounded very ridiculous; but somehow the words wouldn't come straight. Sleek finds it far harder work than fortune-making; but he pursues his Will-o'-the-Wisp with untiring energy. All the operations of her brain related themselves somehow to to-morrow afternoon.

Top Definitions Quiz Examples From the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step. New Word List Word List. Save This Word! Here are two versions:. Would you please explore this topic? The words were attributed to the prominent author Bernard Le Bovier de Fontenelle.

Boldface has been added to excerpts: 1. From the sublime to the ridiculous, said Fontenelle, it is only one step: from raillery to insult there is even less. Hence, this citation did not provide strong evidence of a linkage, but it did show that the expression was in circulation in French by Each of the writers mentioned by the questioner has employed this saying and precise citations are presented further below.

This connection provided an interesting precursor to the saying under examination. The last circumstance recalls a fiend-like appearance drawn by Shakespeare; in which, exclusive of the application, he has converted ideas of deformity into the true sublime, and rendered an image terrible, which in other hands would have probably been ridiculous.

In an instance was ascribed to Fontenelle as noted previously in this article: 5. On the revival of literature, the first writers seemed not to have observed any selection in their thoughts and images. Dante, Petrarch, Boccacio, Ariosto, make very sudden transitions from the sublime to the ridiculous.

The sublime and the ridiculous are often so nearly related, that it is difficult to class them separately. One step above the sublime, makes the ridiculous; and one step above the ridiculous, makes the sublime again.