Great Throughts Treasury

This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.

Francesco Guicciardini

Italian Statesman, Historian

"We fight to great disadvantage when we fight with those who have nothing to lose."

"There is no evil in human affairs that has not some good mingled with it."

"To rule self and subdue our passions is the more praiseworthy because so few know how to do it."

"Ambition is not a reprehdnsible quality, nor are ambitious men to be censured, if they seek glory through honorable and honest means. In fact, it is they who produce great and excellent works. Those who lack this passion are cold spirits, inclined towards laziness than activity. But ambition is pernicious and detestable when it has as its sole end power."

"Affairs that depend on many rarely succeed. "

"Since there is nothing so well worth having as friends, never lose a chance to make them. "

"Never wage war on religion, nor upon seemingly holy institutions, for this thing has too great a force upon the minds of fools."

"The return we reap from generous actions is not always evident. "