“Now that the time that calls me to depart draws near, I think, or will not be too long, like one whom losses make acute and wise, I keep on wondering where I left the way that leads to a safe haven on the right: and on the one hand I am stung by shame and sorrow making me turn back; and on the other cannot break the habit of a pleasure grown so strong that now it dares to play for time with death.” DeathPleasure Book:Canzoniere Source: Canzoniere
“Pues el hombre es un animal no sólo vil y despreciable, sino también (y no lo diría si la experiencia no me lo hubiera mostrado, y siguiera mostrando, tan claramente) perjudicial, variable, desleal, poco confiable, feroz y cruel.” SolitudeSoledad Author:Francesco Petrarca
“Among the many subjects which interested me, I dwelt especially upon antiquity, for our own age has always repelled me, so that, had it not been for the love of those dear to me, I should have preferred to place myself in spirit in other ages, and consequently I delighted in history.” HistoryGreekRomeAntiquityPerennial Author:Francesco Petrarca
“Laura, illustrious through her own virtues, and long famed through my verses, first appeared to my eyes in my youth, in the year of our Lord 1327, on the sixth day of April, in the church of St. Clare in Avignon, at matins; and in the same city, also on the sixth day of April, at the same first hour, but in the year 1348, the light of her life was withdrawn from the light of day, while I, as it chanced, was in Verona, unaware of my fate...” LauraPetrarch Author:Francesco Petrarca
“When now and then among the other ladies, Love makes his home within her charming face, the ways in which each one can't match her beauty renew desire, and my passion thrives.” Sonnet 13 Author:Francesco Petrarca
“Una gran quantità di libri è un fardello faticoso, e per l'anima una distrazione. Allo stesso tempo procura grande abbondanza di lavoro e mancanza di riposo. L'intelligenza si gira qua e là: la memoria è appesantita da una cosa e da un'altra... Credimi, questo non significa nutrire con gli scritti il proprio spirito, ma soffocarlo sotto il peso delle cose e seppellirlo: o forse torturare l'anima stordita da troppe cose come Tantalo in mezzo alle onde, che non può assaggiare niente e desidera ardentemente tutto.” Sobrietà Author:Francesco Petrarca