“It is an imprudence common to kings to listen to too much advice and to err in their choice.”
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Famous Pierre Corneille Quotes
“Be it only for a day, it is still a glory without equal to be master of the world just that day.”
“The king, just and prudent, wants only those things which he can get.”
“A monarch must sometimes rule even himself: he who wants everything must risk very little.”
“I am master of myself as of the universe, so I am; so I wish to be.”
“It is only blood that can wash away such an outrage; die or kill.”
“The universe has no prince or king that it [Rome] would consider equal to its humblest citizen.”
“Love lives on hope, and dies when hope is dead; It is a flame which sinks for lack of fuel.”
“Ambition displeases when it has been sated ... having reached the peak, it aspires to descend.”
“He who fears not death fears not a threat.”
Source: Le Cid
“Heaven absolves all crimes committed to gain a throne Once Heaven gives it to us.”
“When there is no peril in the fight there is no glory in the triumph.”
“We never taste a perfect joy; our happiest successes are mixed with sadness.”
“Deceit is the game of petty spirits, and that is by nature a woman's quality.”
“Oh, how sweet it is to pity the fate of an enemy who can no longer threaten us!”
“I can be forced to live without happiness, but I will never consent to live without honor.”
“I don't know how to defend myself: surprised innocence cannot imagine being under suspicion.”
“To take revenge halfheartedly is to court disaster; either condemn or crown your hatred.”