Francesco Guicciardini Quotes
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He who imitates what is evil always goes beyond the example that is set; on the contrary, he who imitates what is good always falls short.
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To relinquish a present good through apprehension of a future evil is in most instances unwise ... from a fear which may afterwards turn out groundless, you lost the good that lay within your grasp.
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He is less likely to be mistaken who looks forward to a change in the affairs of the world than he who regards them as firm and stable.
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Non combattete mai con la religione, né con le cose che pare che dependono da Dio; perché questo obietto ha troppa forza nella mente degli sciocchi.
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We fight to great disadvantage when we fight with those who have nothing to lose.
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Even though many people prove to be ungrateful, do not let that stop you from benefiting others-for not only is beneficence in itself a noble and almost divine quality, it may also happen that while you practice it, you will encounter someone so grateful that he will make up for all the others' ingratitude.
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There is no evil in human affairs that has not some good mingled with it. [It., Non e male alcuno nelle cose umane che non abbia congiunto seco qualche bene.]
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By numberless examples it will evidently appear that human affairs are as subject to change and fluctuation as the waters of the sea agitated by the winds.
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Con disavvantaggio grande si fa la guerra con chi non ha che perdere.
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Experience has always shown, and reason also, that affairs which depend on many seldom succeed.
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As it is our nature to be more moved by hope than fear, the example of one we see abundantly rewarded cheers and encourages us far more than the sight of many who have not been well treated disquiets us.
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Keep your eye fixed not so much on what they [people] ought in reason to do, as on what they are likely to do based on their disposition and habits.