Francesco Guicciardini (1483–1540) was an Italian historian and statesman. A friend and critic of Niccolò Machiavelli, he is considered one of the major political writers of the Italian Renaissance. In his masterpiece, The History of Italy, Guicciardini paved the way for a new style in historiography with his use of government sources to support arguments and the realistic analysis of the people and events of his time.
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He who imitates evil always goes beyond the example that is set; he who imitates what is good always falls short.
—Francesco Guicciardini
Topics: Imitation
To give vent now and then to his feelings, whether of pleasure or discontent, is a great ease to a man’s heart.
—Francesco Guicciardini
Topics: Emotions
To rule self and subdue our passions is the more praiseworthy because so few know how to do it.
—Francesco Guicciardini
Topics: Self-Control
The return we reap from generous actions is not always evident.
—Francesco Guicciardini
Topics: Generosity
To relinquish a present good through apprehension of a future evil is in most instances unwise … from a fear which may afterwards turn out groundless, you lost the good that lay within your grasp.
—Francesco Guicciardini
Topics: Anxiety, Tomorrow, Fear, The Future
Affairs that depend on many rarely succeed.
—Francesco Guicciardini
Topics: Planning
Since there is nothing so well worth having as friends, never lose a chance to make them.
—Francesco Guicciardini
Topics: Friendship
As it is our nature to be more moved by hope than fear, the example of one we see abundantly rewarded cheers and encourages us far more than the sight of many who have not been well treated disquiets us.
—Francesco Guicciardini
Topics: Feminism, Role models
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