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For style beyond the genius never dares.

Petrarch

To begin with myself, then, the utterances of men concerning me will differ widely, since in passing judgment almost every one is influenced not so much by truth as by preference, and good and evil report alike know no bounds.
PETRARCH

Beginning Bound Difference Influence Man Myself
Nothing mortal is enduring, and there is nothing sweet which does not presently end in bitterness.
PETRARCH

Bitterness Endurance Mortal Present
Hope is incredible to the slave of grief.
PETRARCH

Grief Hope Incredible Slave
Do you suppose there is any living man so unreasonable that if he found himself stricken with a dangerous ailment he would not anxiously desire to regain the blessing of health?
PETRARCH

Blessing Dangerous Health Live Man Reason Yourself
For death betimes is comfort, not dismay, and who can rightly die needs no delay.
PETRARCH

Comfort Death Need Right
All pleasure in the world is a passing dream.
PETRARCH

Dreaming Pass Pleasure World
Death is a sleep that ends our dreaming. Oh, that we may be allowed to wake before death wakes us.
PETRARCH

Death Dreams End Sleep Wake Up
Events appear sad, pleasant, or painful, not because they are so in reality, but because we believe them to be so and the light in which we look at them depends upon our own judgment.
PETRARCH

Appearance Judgement Ourselves Pain Reality Sadness
Sameness is the mother of disgust, variety the cure.
PETRARCH

Cure Disgust Mother
Who over-refines his argument brings himself to grief
PETRARCH

Argument Grief Refine
Death had his grudge against me, and he got up in the way, like an armed robber, with a pike in his hand.
PETRARCH

Death Grudge Hands Himself
I have friends whose society is delightful to me; they are persons of all countries and of all ages; distinguished in war, in council, and in letters; easy to live with, always at my command.
PETRARCH

Command Country Delight Easy Friendship Live Myself Society
For though I am a body of this earth, my firm desire is born from the stars.
PETRARCH

Body Desire Earth Myself Stars
Where are the numerous constructions erected by Agrippa, of which only the Pantheon remains? Where are the splendorous palaces of the emperors?
PETRARCH

Construction Emperor Palace
How quick the old woe follows a little bliss!
PETRARCH

Bliss Follow Old Quick
Love is the crowning grace of humanity, the holiest right of the soul, the golden link which binds us to duty and truth, the redeeming principle that chiefly reconciles the heart to life, and is prophetic of eternal good.
PETRARCH

Crown Forever Goodness Grace Heart Humanity Life Love Principle Right Soul Truth

For style beyond the genius never dares.

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For style beyond the genius never dares.

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