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It is better to will the good than to know the truth.

Petrarch

Hitherto your eyes have been darkened and you have looked too much, yes, far too much, upon the things of earth. If these so much delight you what shall be your rapture when you lift your gaze to things eternal!
PETRARCH

Darkness Earth Eyes Forever Sight Yourself
Perhaps out there, somewhere, someone is sighing for your absence; and with this thought, my soul begins to breathe.
PETRARCH

Absence Beginning Breathe Myself Soul
How difficult it is to save the bark of reputation from the rocks of ignorance.
PETRARCH

Bark Difficult Ignorance Save
Reality is always the foe of famous names.
PETRARCH

Enemy Famous Name One Liner Reality
For though I am a body of this earth, my firm desire is born from the stars.
PETRARCH

Body Desire Earth Myself Stars
An equal doom clipp’d Time’s blest wings of peace.
PETRARCH

Equality Peace Time Wings
For style beyond the genius never dares.
PETRARCH

Beyond Dare Genius Style
Five enemies of peace inhabit with us – avarice, ambition, envy, anger, and pride; if these were to be banished, we should infallibly enjoy perpetual peace.
PETRARCH

Ambition Enemy Enjoyment Jealous Peace
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
A short cut to riches is to subtract from our desires.
PETRARCH

Cutting Desire Inspirational
I would have preferred to have been born in any other time than our own.
PETRARCH

Born Ourselves Preference Time
I know and love the good, yet, ah! the worst pursue.
PETRARCH

Goodness Known Love Pursue Worst
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
Books can warm the heart with friendly words and counsel, entering into a close relationship with us which is articulate and alive.
PETRARCH

Alive Book Friendship Heart Relationship Warm
Nothing mortal is enduring, and there is nothing sweet which does not presently end in bitterness.
PETRARCH

Bitterness Endurance Mortal Present
For death betimes is comfort, not dismay, and who can rightly die needs no delay.
PETRARCH

Comfort Death Need Right

It is better to will the good than to know the truth.

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It is better to will the good than to know the truth.

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