At the pinnacle of this reputation and this victory, at thirty-eight years of age, he had voluntarily shut the door against the intoxications and pride of success; he had mutilated his life, buried his genius in penitence, obeying simply the calls of his conscience, and, with singular moderation in the very midst of exaggeration, becoming a father of a family and remaining a courtier, at the same time that he gave up the stage and glory.

Racine was gentle and sensible even in his repentance and his sacrifices.

Boileau gave religion the credit for this very moderation.

"Reason commonly brings others to faith; it was faith which brought M.Racine to reason." Boileau had more to do with his friend's reason than he probably knew.
Racine never acted without consulting him.

With Racine, Boileau lost half his life.