Vittorio Alfieri Quotes
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Liars are always most disposed to swear.
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The talent of making friends is not equal to the talent of doing without them.
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To err is human; but contrition felt for the crime distinguishes the virtuous from the wicked.
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The guilty is he who meditates a crime; the punishment is his who lays the plot.
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For one to grasp, whatever be his object, sov'reign power ... is an act of perilous presumption.
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That blood which thou hast spill'd, should join you closely in an eternal bond.
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Disgrace does not consist in the punishment, but in the crime.
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Alas, 'tis force alone that can compel to virtuous actions a degenerate people.
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A usurper always distrusts the whole world.
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Necessity inspires the fatal thought.
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Original thoughts can be understood only in virtue of the unoriginal elements which they contain.
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A conquering king will banish from his breast hatred towards one whom he no longer fears.
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Often the test of courage is not to die but to live.
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Deep vengeance is the daughter of deep silence.
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If ardent passions push not men on to lofty enterprise, calm wisdom never will accomplish it.
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Joy, when it is excessive, overcomes as much as grief.
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First thoughts are not always the best.
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Heaven takes care that no man secures happiness by crime.
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For 'tis impossible Hate to return with love.
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I had seen the great, but I had not seen the small.
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Where there are laws, he who has not broken them need not tremble.
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Thou knowest not the endless artifices of a court. Invented crimes are often there alleged; but real ones, and those especially, which may offend his pride, are oftentimes not to a king divulged.
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Ofttimes the test of courage becomes rather to live than to die.
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Joy surfeited turns to sorrow.