It is past all controversy that what costs dearest is, and ought to be, most valued. - Miguel de Cervantes

Remember that there are two kinds of beauty: one of the soul and the other of the body. That of the soul displays its radiance in intelligence, in chastity, in good conduct, in generosity, and in good breeding, and all these qualities may exist in an ugly man. And when we focus our attention upon that beauty, not upon the physical, love generally arises with great violence and intensity. I am well aware that I am not handsome, but I also know that I am not deformed, and it is enough for a man of worth not to be a monster for him to be dearly loved, provided he has those spiritual endowments I have spoken of.

Y fue esta negación añadir llama a llama y deseo a deseo, porque, aunque pusieron silencio a las lenguas, no le pudieron poner a las plumas, las cuales con más libertad que las lenguas suelen dar a entender a quien quieren lo que en el alma está encerrado, que muchas veces la presencia de la cosa amada turba y enmudece la intención más determinada y la lengua más atrevida.

...if the verses are for a literary competition, your grace should try to win second place; first is always won through favor or because of the high estate of the person, second is won because of pure justice, and by this calculation third becomes second, and the first becomes third...