Francesco Berni Quotes

To lose the thing we love is greater pain
Than to desire and never to obtain.

That we may know
Whether the devil doth his looks belie,
And if he is as ugly as we paint him.

Cursed be he who e'er has put his trust
Or who henceforth shall trust in woman's heart;
False are they all, and to mankind a curse;
The plain are bad enough, the fair are worse.

Think not that aught the fury can surpass
Of woman, when she feels that she is scorned.

Mention made on the Tarocchi in his Capitolo del Gioco della Primiera col Comento di messer Pietropaulo da San Chirico (1526).

For judgment appertains to God alone.

Che il far giudicio appartien solo a Dio.

Non crediate che sia maggiore sdegno,
Che quel di donna quando e dispregiata.

He who conveys a ring, a horse, a hat,
And things like these, shows some discrimination;
Mere petty pilfering a the name for that.
But him who steals another's reputation,
And on the fruits of others' toil grows fat,
Hail thief and murderer by acclamation.

So those whose heads with snowy locks are crowned,
More ready to advise than aid are found.

Ne la grandezza giova ne 'l diletto,
Che s'acquista o si tenga con sospetto.

The loss of what we have is pain more dire
Than not to gain the thing that we desire.

Andava combattendo ed era morto.

Pochi si son del silenzio pentiti;
De l'aver troppo parlato, infmiti.

Che 'l perder l'acquistato e maggior doglia
Che mai non acquistar quel che l'uom voglia.