40 Quotes by Francesco Guicciardini

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.

We fight to great disadvantage when we fight with those who have nothing to lose.

Experience has always shown, and reason also, that affairs which depend on many seldom succeed.

Ambassadors are the eye and ear of states.

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.

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.

To give vent now and then to his feelings, whether of pleasure or discontent, is a great ease to a man's heart.

Affairs that depend on many rarely succeed.

Be careful how you do one man a pleasure which must needs occasion equal displeasure in another. For he who is thus slighted will not forget, but will think the offence to himself the greater in that another profits by it; while he who receives the pleasure will either not remember it, or will consider the favour done him less than it really was.