Pierre Corneille quotes
Pierre Corneille (1606–1684): French tragedian. The library holds 43 quotes by Pierre Corneille. The 43 below are the most quoted; search the library in the maker for the rest.
Often about: life, faith, death, power, kindness, truth
The best-known Pierre Corneille quotes
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To conquer without danger would be to conquer without glory.
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He on whom Heaven bestows a sceptre knows not the weight of it till he bears it.
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We never taste happiness in perfection; our most fortunate successes are mixed with sadness.
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The gods invariably make us pay dear for the great benefits they confer on us.
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He on whom Heaven confers a sceptre knows not the weight till he bears it.
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Generosity is the accompaniment of high birth; pity and gratitude are its attendants.
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To conquer without peril would be to conquer without glory.
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What would you have him do with three against him. I would have him die.
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The fire which seems extinguished often slumbers in the ashes.
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Heaven often regulates effects by their causes, and pays the wicked what they have deserved.
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Generosity follows in the train of high birth; pity and gratitude are attendants.
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Let us attend to the present, and as to the future we shall know how to manage when the occasion arrives.
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However great kings may be, they are what we are; they may be deceived like other men.
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Justice advances with such languid steps that crime often escapes from its slowness. Its tardy and doubtful course causes too many tears to be shed.
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Tyrant, come down from the throne, and give place to your master!
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It is the crime, not the scaffold, which is the disgrace.
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I have deserved neither so much honour nor such disgrace.
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He who is resolved to conquer or die is rarely conquered.
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Every brave man shuns more than death the shame of lying.
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We triumph without glory when we conquer without danger.
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He who can do what he pleases, commands when he entreats.
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I press my rival to my heart, but it is to smother him.
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His furrows on his forehead testify to his exploits.
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The game is not worth the candle.
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Solve the riddle if you can, and choose if you dare.
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Here honour binds me, and I am minded to satisfy her.
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Our misfortunes are often lightened by relating them.
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It is the crime that’s the disgrace, not the scaffold.
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Love rules the earth, subjects the heavens; kings are at his feet; he controls the gods.
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Time is a great master; it regulates things well.
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Rome is no longer in Rome; it is all where I am.
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Force is legitimate where gentleness avails not.
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She has too many virtues not to be a Christian.
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Each moment of life is one step nearer death.
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Deceit is a game played only by small minds.
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He who fears not death cares not for threats.
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I see, I know, I believe, I am undeceived.
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Brave men are brave from the very first.
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The rest don’t deserve to be mentioned.
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Every brave man is a man of his word.
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All evils, when extreme, are the same.
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I, I, say I, and that is enough.
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A liar is always lavish of oaths.