Moliere -- Les Femmes Savantes [The Learned Ladies], Act 2, sc. 6, (1692) [tr. Van Laun (1876)]

Dave — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 19:12:07 +0000

MARTINE: We always speak well when we make ourselves understood.

[MARTINE: Quand on se fait entendre, on parle toujours bien.]

Molière (1622-1673) French playwright, actor [stage name for Jean-Baptiste Poquelin]
Les Femmes Savantes [The Learned Ladies], Act 2, sc. 6, (1692) [tr. Van Laun (1876)]
(Source)

(Source (French)). Other translations:

When one makes ones self understood, one always speaks well.
[tr. Clitandre (1739)]

Provided one is understood, one speaks well enough.
[tr. Wall (1879), The Learned Women]

One always speaks well when one makes oneself understood.
[tr. Matthew (1890), The Blue-Stockings]

I say, when we can make folks understand us, that's good talking.
[tr. Wormeley (1895), The Female Pedants]

To make oneself understood is good enough language for me.
[tr. Waller (1903)]

It's speaking well, if you are understood.
[tr. Page (1908)]

Whenever people understand you, you’re talkin’ good.
[tr. Marks (2018)]

If you make yourself understood, you're always speaking well.
[E.g.]

Penn, William -- Some Fruits of Solitude, Part 2, “Of Conduct and Speech,” #122 (1682)

Dave — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:53:49 +0000

Speak properly, and in as few words as you can, but always plainly; for the End of Speech is not Ostentation, but to be understood.

William Penn (1644-1718) English writer, philosopher, politician, statesman
Some Fruits of Solitude, Part 2, “Of Conduct and Speech,” #122 (1682)
(Source)

WIST Quotations

Moliere -- Les Femmes Savantes [The Learned Ladies], Act 2, sc. 6, (1692) [tr. Van Laun (1876)]

Penn, William -- Some Fruits of Solitude, Part 2, “Of Conduct and Speech,” #122 (1682)