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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

It is more honorable to be raised to a throne than to be born to one. Fortune bestows the one, merit obtains the other.
PETRARCH

Born Fortune Honor Oneself Respect
Ruthless striving, overcomes everything.
PETRARCH

Overcome Ruthless Strive
The greater I am, the greater shall be my efforts.
PETRARCH

Effort Greatness Myself
Mere elegance of language can produce at best but an empty renown.
PETRARCH

Elegant Empty Language Production
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
Wanting is not enough, long and you attain it.
PETRARCH

Effort Enough Longing
A short cut to riches is to subtract from our desires.
PETRARCH

Cutting Desire Inspirational
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
Often on earth the gentlest heart is fain To feed and banquet on another’s woe.
PETRARCH

Earth Enemy Heart
It may be only glory that we seek here, but I persuade myself that, as long as we remain here, that is right. Another glory awaits us in heaven and he who reaches there will not wish even to think of earthly fame.
PETRARCH

Fame Glory Heaven Myself Seek Thinking
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
Books have led some to learning and others to madness.
PETRARCH

Book Leadership Learning Madness
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
I know and love the good, yet, ah! the worst pursue.
PETRARCH

Goodness Known Love Pursue Worst
For style beyond the genius never dares.
PETRARCH

Beyond Dare Genius Style
Where you are is of no moment, but only what you are doing there. It is not the place that ennobles you, but you the place, and this only by doing that which is great and noble.
PETRARCH

Greatness Moments Noble Place Yourself

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.

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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.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

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