Francesco Berni Quotes

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

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

Così da sempre ogni capo canuto
Piu volentier consilio, ched ajuto.

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

For judgment appertains to God alone.

Whoe'er he be, none more than human deem,
And each may speak as good to him doth seem.

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.

He still fought stoutly on—and he was dead.

Of keeping silence few have paid the cost;
Of having said too much, a countless host.

And this doth overpass all other pain,
To find that our last hope is all in vain.

A king that would to do his duty try,
Is steward, truly, and not sovereign
Of those who bow to his authority.