There is nothing so fleeting as the memory of benefits received.
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Imitating negativity leads to extremes, while imitating positivity can leave one feeling inadequate.
Francesco Guicciardini's quote suggests that those who emulate negative behaviors tend to exceed even the worst examples they follow, often resulting in harm. In contrast, individuals who strive to imitate virtuous qualities may find themselves falling short of those ideals, underscoring the challenge of achieving goodness and the potential dangers of negative influences.
Themes
ImitationGoodnessBadnessInfluenceCharacter
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about character, this quote can emphasize the importance of positive role models.
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
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.
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
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