Quotes from Pierre Corneille

I have deserved neither so much honor or so much disgrace.

Here honor binds me, and I wish to satisfy it.

My sweetest hope is to lose hope

He who plays advisor is no longer ambassador.

I don't know how to defend myself: surprised innocence cannot imagine being under suspicion.

Reason and love are sworn enemies.

One often calms one's grief by recounting it.

Master of the universe but not of myself, I am the only rebel against my absolute power.

Whoever can do as he pleases, commands when he entreats.

A monarch must sometimes rule even himself: he who wants everything must risk very little.

Have others fear you, and I will have no fear.

Be it only for a day, it is still a glory without equal to be master of the world just that day.

The king, just and prudent, wants only those things which he can get.

I am master of myself as of the universe, so I am; so I wish to be.

Kindness acts Not always as you think; a hated hand Renders it odious.

Violence is just, where kindness is vain.

Flee an enemy who knows your weakness.

As for our gods, we have a few too many to be true.

It is a crime against the State to be powerful enough to commit one.

Ambition aspires to descend.

We never taste a perfect joy; our happiest successes are mixed with sadness.

We never taste happiness in perfection, our most fortunate successes are mixed with sadness.

It is the crime not the scaffold which is the disgrace.

He who despises life is his life's master.