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Reality is always the foe of famous names.

Petrarch

Man 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.
PETRARCH

Enemy Greatness Man Propose
I have taken pride in others, never in myself.
PETRARCH

Myself Pride
Great errors seldom originate but with men of great minds.
PETRARCH

Error Men Mind
And men go about to wonder at the heights of the mountains, and the mighty waves of the sea, and the wide sweep of rivers, and the circuit of the ocean, and the revolution of the stars, but themselves they consider not.
PETRARCH

Height Man Mountain Revolution Stars Wonder
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
The aged love what is practical while impetuous youth longs only for what is dazzling.
PETRARCH

Age Difference Love Practice Relationship
A short cut to riches is to subtract from our desires.
PETRARCH

Cutting Desire Inspirational
I looked back at the summit of the mountain, which seemed but a cubit high in comparison with the height of human contemplation, were in not too often merged in the corruptions of the earth.
PETRARCH

Comparison Earth Mountain Myself
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
Sameness is the mother of disgust, variety the cure.
PETRARCH

Cure Disgust Mother
I freeze and burn, love is bitter and sweet, my sighs are tempests and my tears are floods, I am in ecstasy and agony, I am possessed by memories of her and I am in exile from myself.
PETRARCH

Bitter Burn Freeze Memories Myself Sweet
I desire that death find me ready and writing, or if it please Christ, praying and intears.
PETRARCH

Death Desire Finding Myself Ready
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
Who over-refines his argument brings himself to grief
PETRARCH

Argument Grief Refine
Often have I wondered with much curiosity as to our coming into this world and what will follow our departure.
PETRARCH

Curiosity Follow Wonder World
There is no lighter burden, nor more agreeable, than a pen.
PETRARCH

Agreement Burden Light Pen Poet

Reality is always the foe of famous names.

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Reality is always the foe of famous names.

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