Francisco de Quevedo: Quotations

Francisco de Quevedo (1580-1645)

Cuando decimos que todo tiempo pasado fue mejor, condenamos el porvenir sin conocerlo.

(When we say that all past times were better, we condemn the future without knowing it.)

“Donde hay poca justicia, es un peligro tener razón.”

(Where there is little justice, it is a danger to be right.)

“El amigo ha de ser como la sangre, que acude luego a la herida sin esperar que le llamen.”

(The friend must be like blood, which goes to the wound without waiting to be called.)

“El amor es fe y no ciencia.”

(Love is faith and not science.)

“El amor es la última filosofía de la tierra y del cielo.”

(Love is the last philosophy on earth and in heaven.)

“El insulto es la razón del que razón no tiene.”

(The insult is the reason of the one who has no reason.)

“El que parece sabio entre los necios, parece necio entre los sabios.”

(He who seems wise among fools seems foolish among wise.)

“El que quiere de esta vida todas las cosas a su gusto, tendrá muchos disgustos.”

(He who wants all things to his liking from this life will have many troubles.)

“El valiente tiene miedo del contrario; el cobarde, de su propio temor.”

(The brave man is afraid of the opposite; the coward, from his own fear.)

“Haces lo que padeces y te imitas.”

(You do what you suffer and you imitate yourself.)

“Lo mucho se vuelve poco con desear otro poco más.”

(Much becomes little with wanting a little more.)

“Los que de corazón se quieren sólo con el corazón se hablan.”

(Those who love each other only with their hearts speak to each other.)

“Mejor vida es morir que vivir muerto.”

(Better life is to die than to live dead.)

“Sólo el que manda con amor es servido con fidelidad.”

(Only the one who rules with love is served with fidelity.)