Torquato Tasso Quote

A fool is he that comes to preach or prate,
When men with swords their right and wrong debate.
[It., Chi conta i colpi e la dovuta offesa,
Mentr' arde la tenzon, misura e pesa?]

Tasso's Jerusalem Delivered: Or Godfrey of Bulloign: An Heroic Poem (ed. 1749)