Nothing costs less, nor is cheaper, than the compliments of civility.
—Miguel de Cervantes
One man scorned and covered with scars still strove with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable stars; and the world was better for this.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Endurance
I am of opinion that there are no proverbial sayings which are not true, because they are all sentences drawn from experience itself, who is the mother of all sciences.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Proverbs
Where one door closes, another opens.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Opportunity
Take away the cause, and the effect ceases.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Appropriateness, Reason, Aptness
Miracle me no miracles.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Miracles
Every man is as heaven made him, and sometimes a great deal worse.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Creation
Fortune leaves always some door open to come at a remedy.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Life
Three things too much, and three too little are pernicious to man; to speak much, and know little; to spend much, and have little; to presume much, and be worth little.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Man
No man is more than another unless he does more than another.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Service
Diligence is the mother of good fortune, and idleness, its opposite, never brought a man to the goal of any of his best wishes.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Perseverance, Idleness, Persistence, Fortune, Wishes
All sorrows are good or are less with bread
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Eating
A private sin is not so prejudicial in this world, as a public indecency.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Sin
Fear is sharp-sighted, and can see things under ground, and much more in the skies.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Fear, Anxiety
Let us forget and forgive injuries.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Forgiveness
Death eats up all things, both the young lamb and old sheep; and I have heard our parson say, death values a prince no more than a clown; all’s fish that comes to his net; he throws at all, and sweeps stakes; he’s no mower that takes a nap at noon-day, but drives on, fair weather or foul, and cuts down the green grass as well as the ripe corn: he’s neither squeamish nor queesy-stomach d, for he swallows without chewing, and crams down all things into his ungracious maw; and you can see no belly he has, he has a confounded dropsy, and thirsts after men’s lives, which he gurgles down like mother’s milk.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Dying, Death
Everyone is as God made him, and often a great deal worse.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Humanity, Humankind
Fortune always leaves some door open in disasters whereby to come at a remedy.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Fortune
He that gives quickly gives twice.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Giving
Every one is the son of his own works.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Character, Work
The mean of true valor lies between the extremes of cowardice and rashness.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Valor
He preaches well that lives well.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Living, Evangelism, Preaching
And for the citation of so many authors, ’tis the easiest thing in nature. Find out one of these books with an alphabetical index, and without any farther ceremony, remove it verbatim into your own… there are fools enough to be thus drawn into an opinion of the work; at least, such a flourishing train of attendants will give your book a fashionable air, and recommend it for sale.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Plagiarism
My grandma (rest her soul) used to say, “There were but two families in the world, have-much and have-little.”
—Miguel de Cervantes
Drink moderately, for drunkenness neither keeps a secret, nor observes a promise
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Drinking
To be prepared is half the victory.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Planning
By the streets of “by and by,” one arrives at the house of “never.”
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: The Future, Future, Procrastination
The most difficult character in comedy is that of a fool, and he must be no simpleton who plays the part.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Fools, Acting, Actors
They who lose today may win tomorrow.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Tomorrow, Winning, The Future
Faint heart never won fair lady.
—Miguel de Cervantes
Topics: Coward, Courage, Defects, Love, Cowardice
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Lope de Vega Spanish Playwright
- Miguel de Unamuno Spanish Philosopher, Writer
- Jacinto Benavente Spanish Dramatist
- Bahya ibn Paquda Jewish Philosopher
- George Santayana Spanish-American Poet, Philosopher
- Pablo Picasso Spanish Painter
- Graham Greene British Novelist
- James Joyce Irish Novelist
- Dorothy L. Sayers English Novelist, Playwright
- Joyce Carol Oates American Novelist
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