104 Quotes by Petrarch

Do you suppose there is any living man so unreasonable that if he found himself stricken with a dangerous ailment he would not anxiously desire to regain the blessing of health?

How difficult it is to save the bark of reputation from the rocks of ignorance.

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

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.

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

What name to call thee by, O virgin fair, I know not, for thy looks are not of earth And more than mortal seems thy countenances

And tears are heard within the harp I touch.

There is no lighter burden, nor more agreeable, than a pen.

Books have led some to learning and others to madness.