Nicolas Chamfort was a French writer, best known for his witty epigrams and aphorisms. He was born on 6 April 1741, according to a baptismal certificate to a grocer named Nicolas. For some time he subsisted by teaching and hack writing. His good looks and ready wit brought him attention; but, though endowed with immense physical strength—Madame de Craon called him "Hercule sous la figure d'Adonis"