Miguel de Cervantes Quotes

215 Sourced Quotes

It is a common proverb, beauteous princess, that diligence is the mother of good fortune.

Miguel de Cervantes

Now had Aurora displayed her mantle over the blushing skies, and dark night withdrawn her sable veil.

Miguel de Cervantes

When the head aches, all the members partake of the pains.

Miguel de Cervantes

'Tis the maddest trick a man can ever play in his whole life, to let his breath sneak out of his body without any more ado, and without so much as a rap o'er the pate, or a kick of the guts; to go out like the snuff of a farthing candle, and die merely of the mulligrubs, or the sullens.

Miguel de Cervantes

And for the citation of so many authors, 'tis the easiest thing in nature. Find out one of these books with an alphabetical index, and without any farther ceremony, remove it verbatim into your own... there are fools enough to be thus drawn into an opinion of the work; at least, such a flourishing train of attendants will give your book a fashionable air, and recommend it for sale.

Miguel de Cervantes

There's no sauce in the world like hunger.

Miguel de Cervantes

Tis the only comfort of the miserable to have partners in their woes.

Miguel de Cervantes

Where envy reigns virtue can't exist, and generosity doesn't go with meanness.

Miguel de Cervantes

Great persons are able to do great kindnesses.

Miguel de Cervantes

The bow cannot always stand bent, nor can human frailty subsist without some lawful recreation.

Miguel de Cervantes

When a man says, "Get out of my house! what would you have with my wife?" there is no answer to be made.

Miguel de Cervantes

My love and hers have always been purely Platonic.

Miguel de Cervantes

I had rather munch a crust of brown bread and an onion in a corner, without any more ado, or ceremony, than feed upon turkey at another man's table.

Miguel de Cervantes

There is a time for some things, and a time for all things; a time for great things, and a time for small things.

Miguel de Cervantes

Liberty … is one of the most valuable blessings that Heaven has bestowed upon mankind.

Miguel de Cervantes

Every tooth in a man's head is more valuable than a diamond.

Miguel de Cervantes

I drink when I have occasion, and sometimes when I have no occasion.

Miguel de Cervantes

He … got the better of himself, and that's the best kind of victory one can wish for.

Miguel de Cervantes

He's a muddle-headed fool, with frequent lucid intervals.

Miguel de Cervantes

I must speak the truth, and nothing but the truth.

Miguel de Cervantes

I do not say a proverb is amiss when aptly and reasonably applied, but to be forever discharging them, right or wrong, hit or miss, renders conversation insipid and vulgar.

Miguel de Cervantes

There's not the least thing can be said or done, but people will talk and find fault.

Miguel de Cervantes

Our greatest foes, and whom we must chiefly combat, are within.

Miguel de Cervantes

It is past all controversy that what costs dearest is, and ought to be, most valued.

Miguel de Cervantes

He preaches well that lives well, quoth Sancho; that's all the divinity I understand.

Miguel de Cervantes

Thou camest out of thy mother's belly without government, thou hast liv'd hitherto without government, and thou mayst be carried to thy long home without government, when it shall please the Lord. How many people in this world live without government, yet do well enough, and are well look'd upon?

Miguel de Cervantes

Of good natural parts, and of a liberal education.

Miguel de Cervantes

The virtuous woman must be treated like a relic — adored, but not handled; she should be guarded and prized, like a fine flower-garden, the beauty and fragrance of which the owner allows others to enjoy only at a distance, and through iron walls.

Miguel de Cervantes

Liberty, as well as honor, man ought to preserve at the hazard of his life, for without it life is insupportable

Miguel de Cervantes

I have always heard, Sancho, that doing good to base fellows is like throwing water into the sea.

Miguel de Cervantes