 The author was severely ridiculized by Nicolas Boileau for his precious language in his "Art poétique", but Boileau later changed his opinion of Brébeuf, saying "Malgré son fatras obscur, souvent Brébeuf étincelle" ("Despite his obscure gobblygook, Brébeuf often shines").Near the end of his life, Brébeuf left worldly society and retreated to Venoix (near Caen), where his younger brother was curé.His later works are meditative, and seek peace in contemplation and nature.