Quotes from Vittorio Alfieri

Deep vengeance is the daughter of deep silence.

Liars are always most disposed to swear.

For one to grasp, whatever be his object, sov'reign power ... is an act of perilous presumption.

To err is human; but contrition felt for the crime distinguishes the virtuous from the wicked.

Disgrace does not consist in the punishment, but in the crime.

First thoughts are not always the best.

The time for hope is gone, and come for fear.

A usurper always distrusts the whole world.

There is a silence, the child of love, which expresses everything, and proclaims more loudly than the tongue is able to do; there are movements that are involuntary proofs of what the soul feels.

For 'tis impossible Hate to return with love.

Where there are laws, he who has not broken them need not tremble.

Heaven takes care that no man secures happiness by crime.

Such return awaits thy passion as thy passion merits.

If ardent passions push not men on to lofty enterprise, calm wisdom never will accomplish it.

The time for hope is gone, and come for fear.

Fortune, until now kind to me, begins to wear a frowning face.

Alas, 'tis force alone that can compel to virtuous actions a degenerate people.

The talent of making friends is not equal to the talent of doing without them.

There is a silence, the child of love, which expresses everything, and proclaims more loudly than the tongue is able to do; there are movements that are involuntary proofs of what the soul feels.

The will of angry gods, an unknown force, are dragging me along, despite myself.

Where there are laws, innocence need not tremble.

Thou knowest not the endless artifices of a court. Invented crimes are often there alleged; but real ones, and those especially, which may offend his pride, are oftentimes not to a king divulged.

Joy, when it is excessive, overcomes as much as grief.

For one to grasp, whatever be his object, sov'reign power ... is an act of perilous presumption.