Rarely do great beauty and great virtue dwell together.
PETRARCHRarely do great beauty and great virtue dwell together.
PETRARCHTo 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.
PETRARCHFor death betimes is comfort, not dismay, and who can rightly die needs no delay.
PETRARCHWho over-refines his argument brings himself to grief
PETRARCHHow quick the old woe follows a little bliss!
PETRARCHMan has no greater enemy than himself. I have acted contrary to my sentiments and inclination; throughout our whole lives we do what we never intended, and what we proposed to do, we leave undone.
PETRARCHIt is better to will the good than to know the truth.
PETRARCHWanting is not enough, long and you attain it.
PETRARCHThe aged love what is practical while impetuous youth longs only for what is dazzling.
PETRARCHDeath is a sleep that ends our dreaming. Oh, that we may be allowed to wake before death wakes us.
PETRARCHReality is always the foe of famous names.
PETRARCHThe time will come when every change shall cease, This quick revolving wheel shall rest in peace: No summer then shall glow, not winter freeze; Nothing shall be to come, and nothing past, But an eternal now shall ever last.
PETRARCHEvents 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.
PETRARCHFor style beyond the genius never dares.
PETRARCHAll pleasure in the world is a passing dream.
PETRARCHGo, grieving rimes of mine, to that hard stone Whereunder lies my darling, lies my dear, And cry to her to speak from heaven’s sphere.
PETRARCH