“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
“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
“Keep your eye fixed not so much on what they [people] ought in reason to do, as on what they are likely to do based on their disposition and habits.” PeopleReasonEyeOughtHabitFixedDisposition Author:Francesco Guicciardini
“Experience has always shown, and reason also, that affairs which depend on many seldom succeed.” ReasonDependsSucceedAffair Author:Francesco Guicciardini
