There is nothing so fleeting as the memory of benefits received.
Francesco GuicciardiniRead
He who imitates what is evil always goes beyond the example that is set; on the contrary, he who imitates what is good always falls short.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that imitating bad actions leads to an escalation of negativity, while imitating good actions often results in never fully achieving the ideal.
Francesco Guicciardini's quote reflects on the nature of human behavior and the consequences of imitation. It implies that when people follow bad examples, they tend to surpass the original negative actions, potentially leading to worse outcomes. Conversely, when striving to emulate good deeds, individuals often find themselves unable to reach the same heights of virtue as their role models, highlighting a common human struggle to achieve moral excellence.
Themes
ImitationGoodEvilBehaviorMoralityExamples
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophy class, discussing the implications of moral choices in relation to this quote.
More from Francesco Guicciardini
All quotes βIf you attempt certain things at the right time, they are easy to accomplish - in fact, they almost get done by themselves. If you undertake them before the time is right, not only will they fail, but they will often become impossible to accomplish even when the time would have been right.
Francesco GuicciardiniRead
Conspiracies, since they cannot be engaged in without the fellowship of others, are for that reason most perilous; for as most men are either fools or knaves, we run excessive risk in making such folk our companions.
Francesco GuicciardiniRead
Let no one trust so entirely to natural prudence as to persuade himself that it will suffice to guide him without help from experience.
Francesco GuicciardiniRead
Few revolutions succeed, and when they do, you often discover they did not gain what you hoped for, and you condemn yourself to perpetual fear, as the parties you defeated may always regain power and work for your ruin.
Francesco GuicciardiniRead
One who imitates what is bad always goes beyond his model; while one who imitates what is good always comes up short of it.
Francesco GuicciardiniRead
Similar quotes
So long as large sums of money are involved - and they are bound to be if drugs are illegal - it is literally impossible to stop the traffic, or even to make a serious reduction in its scope.
Milton FriedmanRead
One feels as if it could never, never be less. And yet all griefs, when there is no bitterness in them, are soothed down by time.
Jane Welsh CarlyleRead
Man cannot live without joy; therefore when he is deprived of true spiritual joys it is necessary that he become addicted to carnal pleasures.
Thomas AquinasRead
If asked how to cope with a great host of the enemy in orderly array and on the point of marching to the attack, I should say: "Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will." Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.
Sun TzuRead
You, boy, who owe everything to a name
Mark AntonyRead
The statesmen will invent cheap lies, putting the blame upon the nation that is attacked, and every man will be glad of those conscience-soothing falsities, and will diligently study them, and refuse to examine any refutations of them; and thus he will by and by convince himself that the war is just, and will thank God for the better sleep he enjoys after this process of grotesque self-deception.
Mark TwainRead