“Like other men, I have sought honours and preferment, and often have obtained them beyond my wishes or hopes. Yet never have I found in them that content which I had figured beforehand in my mind. A strong reason, if we well consider it, why we should disencumber ourselves of vain desires.” IfsMenShouldMindWellsReasonDesireFoundStrongWishVainHonourMy Wish Book:Ricordi Source: Ricordi
“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.” ThinkingMenNeedsDoneRememberForgetPleasureGreaterEqualProfitCarefulOccasionsOne ManBe CarefulFavourOffenceDispleasureSlighted Book:Counsels and Reflections of Francesco Guicciardini Source: Counsels and Reflections of Francesco Guicciardini
“Conspiracies, since they cannot be engaged in without the fellowship of others, are for that reason most perilous; for as most men are either fools or knaves, we run excessive risk in making such folk our companions.” MenReasonRunningRiskFoolFolksEngagedCompanionConspiracyFellowshipKnaves Author:Francesco Guicciardini
“To give vent now and then to his feelings, whether of pleasure or discontent, is a great ease to a man's heart.” MenGivingHeartFeelingsPleasureEmotionEaseNow And ThenDiscontentChakra Book:Ricordi Source: Ricordi
“I know no man who feels deeper disgust than I do at the ambition, avarice, and profligacy of the priesthood, as well because every one of these vices is odious in itself, as because each of them separately and all of them together are utterly abhorrent in men making profession of a life dedicated to God.” KnowsMenFeelsWellsTogetherAmbitionVicesDeeperProfessionDedicatedDisgustingAvaricePriesthoodAbhorrent Book:Ricordi Source: Ricordi
