In the literature of France ...

In the literature of France Moliere occupies the same kind of position as Cervantes in that of Spain, Dante in that of Italy, and Shakespeare in that of England. His glory is more than national - it is universal.
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 Lytton Strachey

Quotes from the same author

How far the existence of the Academy has influenced French literature, either for good or for evil, is an extremely dubious question.
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 Lytton Strachey
When Louis XIV assumed the reins of government France suddenly and wonderfully came to her maturity; it was as if the whole nation had burst into splendid flower.
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 Lytton Strachey
Though, with the ascendancy of Louis, the political power of the nobles finally came to an end, France remained, in the whole complexion of her social life, completely aristocratic.
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 Lytton Strachey
The genius of the French language, descended from its single Latin stock, has triumphed most in the contrary direction - in simplicity, in unity, in clarity, and in restraint.
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 Lytton Strachey
The amateur is very rare in French literature - as rare as he is common in our own.
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 Lytton Strachey