SGANARELLE: But when a great lord is a wicked man, it is a terrible thing.
[Mais un grand seigneur méchant homme est une terrible chose.]
Molière (1622-1673) French playwright, actor [stage name for Jean-Baptiste Poquelin]
Don Juan [Dom Juan], Act 1, sc. 1 (1665) [tr. Waller (1904)]
(Source)
(Source (French)). Other translations:But a great Lord, a wicked Man, is a terrible thing.
[tr. Clitandre (1672)]If a great lord is a wicked man it is a terrible thing.
[tr. Van Laun (1876)]But if a great lord is also a wicked man, it is a terrible thing.
[tr. Wall (1879)]But a wicked nobleman is a terrible thing.
[tr. Page (1908)]But a great lord who is a wicked man is a terrible thing.
[tr. Frame (1967)]But a wicked nobleman is a frightening master.
[tr. Bermel (1987)]But a great lord who's a wicked man is a frightening thing.
[tr. Wilbur (2001)]
Sometimes rendered "What a terrible thing to be a great lord, yet a wicked man," though I could not find a good source for that phrasing, which is also attributed to Carlos Castañeda.
Quotations about:
official
Note not all quotations have been tagged, so Search may find additional quotes on this topic.
BOB: You know I’m retired from hero work.
EDNA: As am I, Robert, yet here we are!Brad Bird (b. 1957) American director, animator and screenwriter [Phillip Bradley Bird]
The Incredibles (2004)
(Source)
SHEPHERD’S SON: He seems to be of
great authority. Close with him, give him gold; and
though authority be a stubborn bear, yet he is oft
led by the nose with gold.William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
Winter’s Tale, Act 4, sc. 4, l. 932ff (4.4.932-935) (1611)
(Source)
