Pierre Corneille Quotes - Page 6

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

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

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

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

To die for one's country is such a worthy fate that all compete for so beautiful a death.

A first impulse was never a crime.

This dark brightness that falls from the stars.

One ought to have a good memory when he has told a lie

All evils are equal when they are extreme. [Fr., Et tous maux sont pareils alors qu'ils sont extremes.]

The subject of a good tragedy must not be realistic.

The crime and not the scaffold makes the shame.

He should be envied Who when his strength is spent lays down his life. Old age reserves a melancholy fate For noble souls before their life is done.

Among wellborn spirits courage does not depend on age.

Brave men are brave from the very first. [Fr., Les hommes valeureux le sont au premier coup.]

Guess, if you can, and choose, if you dare. [Lat., Devine, si tu peux, et choisis, si tu l'oses.]

To myself alone do I owe my fame. [Fr., Je ne dois qu'a moi seul toute ma renommee.]

The people you killed seem to be in excellent health.

Rome, if you do not wish me to betray you, make enemies that I can hate!

Clemency is the surest proof of a true monarch. [Fr., La clemence est la plus belle marque Qui fasse a l'univers connaitre un vrai monqrque.]

Just vengeance does not call for punishment.

How sweet to die after one's enemies.

Sir, what does it matter whom I serve, so long as I am right?

A liar is always lavish of oaths. [Fr., Un menteur est toujours prodigue de serments.]

When obedience is so impious, revolt is a necessity.

I would not like a king who could obey.