Petrarch

“Love is the crowning grace of humanity, the holiest right of the soul, the golden link which binds us to duty and truth, the redeeming principle that chiefly reconciles the heart to life, and is prophetic of eternal good.”

“What name to call thee by, O virgin fair, I know not, for thy looks are not of earth And more than mortal seems thy countenances.”

“Five enemies of peace inhabit with us - avarice, ambition, envy, anger, and pride; if these were to be banished, we should infallibly enjoy perpetual peace.”

“How difficult it is to save the bark of reputation from the rocks of ignorance.”

“Rarely do great beauty and great virtue dwell together.”

“Who naught suspects is easily deceived.”

“To be able to say how much love, is love but little.”

“Suspicion is the cancer of friendship.”

“The aged love what is practical while impetuous youth longs only for what is dazzling.”

“Man has no greater enemy than himself.”

“To begin with myself, then, the utterances of men concerning me will differ widely, since in passing judgment almost every one is influenced not so much by truth as by preference, and good and evil report alike know no bounds.”

“There is no lighter burden, nor more agreeable, than a pen.”

“Often have I wondered with much curiosity as to our coming into this world and what will follow our departure.”

“A short cut to riches is to subtract from our desires.”