30 famous quotes by Francisco de Quevedo

We compile some philosophical reflections of this figure of the Spanish Golden Age.

Francisco de Quevedo (Madrid, 1580 - Ciudad Real, 1645) was one of the most widely read and admired writers of Spanish literature. An outstanding member of the Golden Age, Francisco de Quevedo wrote prose and poetry, narrative and theater, being a global and multifaceted thinker like few others in history.

His extensive oeuvre includes pieces that continue to be the subject of study throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

Phrases and reflections of Francisco de Quevedo

In this article we are going to know in depth the best phrases of Francisco de Quevedo. They are thoughts and reflections extracted from his works. Let's start.

1. War is for life in men, because life is war, and to live and to fight is one and the same thing.

Fighting and battling, in the 16th century, was the daily bread.

2. Doctors kill and live by killing, and the complaint falls on the ailment.

A dart against doctors that can be a metaphor applicable to other fields.

3. For our greed the much is little; for our need the little is much.

A philosophical reflection of deep depth.

4. The possession of health is like that of property, which is enjoyed by spending it, and if it is not spent, it is not enjoyed.

It is useless to have iron health if we do not live life to the fullest.

5. Life is a Pain in which the pain of death begins, which lasts as long as it lasts.

We walk aimlessly but with a clear destination: disappearance and oblivion.

6. What is learned in youth lasts a lifetime.

Certainly, learning is easier and longer lasting at this stage of life.

7. We all wish to grow old; and we all deny that we have arrived.

Longevity is something commonly desired, as well as denied.

8. Money is a great gentleman.

Perhaps his most famous sentence. It alludes to the power of crude oil to mobilize us and make us lose our ethics and principles.

9. Criminals do less harm than a bad judge.

Because of his position of authority and influence, a bad arbitrator is a condemnation for society.

10. Virtue envied is twice virtue.

Little more to add to this reflection of Francisco de Quevedo.

11. Nothing arouses so much the bustle of the people as novelty.

Perhaps this is why, even six centuries later, we are compulsive consumers of news and current affairs of all kinds.

12. The brave man is afraid of his opponent; the coward, of his own fear.

The self-absorption of some people can be their worst enemy.

13. Too much becomes too little just by wishing for a little more.

We relativize our needs just as our unconscious commands us.

14. To be apocated is virtue, power and humility; to let oneself be apocated is vileness and crime.

In line with sentence number twelve.

15. There are short books that, to understand them as they deserve, you need a very long life.

About literature and the way it can make us change and reflect.

16. Everyone who looks stupid is stupid, and half of those who don't look stupid are stupid too.

An ironic and sharp phrase by Francisco de Quevedo.

17. Fear must always be preserved, but never shown.

Weakness will always be there, but if you show it, you may be burned.

18. Live only for yourself if you can, for only for yourself if you die, you die.

It is not egocentrism, it is carpe diem.

19. Pride is a ruinous architect; it lays the foundations on high and the tiles on the foundations.

Tearing pride to pieces, a very common defect in our days.

20. He who leaves the offended alive, must always fear revenge.

Take your precautions if you are in that situation. A wise phrase from Quevedo.

21. The man who loses honor for business, loses business and honor.

To be dedicated and industrious in work brings us sweet fruits. Not to be so... simply brings us absolute ruin.

22. A friend should be like blood, who comes to the wound without waiting to be called.

If you have a friend who is there when you have a bad patch, value him.

23. No one offers as much as he who will not deliver.

Do not trust the one who takes everything for granted without having started to work for it.

24. The general must be considerate and the soldier obedient.

A basic principle in hierarchical organizations.

25. The rich man eats; the poor man feeds himself.

The difference between joy and pure necessity.

26. Live only for yourself if you can, for only for yourself if you die, you die.

A great quote that we should all know, we must live life as we wish.

27. A caress in women is no less offensive a weapon than a sword in men.

We must know how to value and respect women. In the time of this writer something so obvious was not fulfilled on many occasions.

28. And naked, most beautiful maiden, you are so pretty, you are so rich and beautiful, that you kill more of jealousy and love than dressed in colors: and you are thus similar to the sword: you kill more naked than dressed.

A phrase that shows us the gift that this great writer possessed for poetry.

29. The tree of life is communication with friends; the fruit, rest and confidence in them.

Friendship is one of the most positive aspects of life, we must know how to keep our friendships.

30. Everyone should open his eyes and not rely on the title of kinship, not even on the very garments of it, but on those of love and will very experienced, because they are not the relatives more than how they treat each other.

The important thing about a person is his attitude and personality, the rest are mere frills.