As great as kings may be, they are what we are: they can err like other men.

Quote by Pierre Corneille

Topics: Pierre Corneille Quotes

The subject of a good tragedy must not be realistic.

The subject of a good tragedy must not be realistic.

Danger breeds best on too much confidence.

Danger breeds best on too much confidence.

In the service of Caesar, everything is legitimate.

In the service of Caesar, everything is legitimate.

Love is a tyrant sparing none.

Love is a tyrant sparing none.

To vanquish without peril is to triumph without glory.

To vanquish without peril is to triumph without glory.

Do your duty and leave the rest to heaven.

Do your duty and leave the rest to heaven.

Ambition aspires to descend.

Ambition aspires to descend.

My reason, it's true, controls my feelings, but whatever its authority, it doesn't rule them...

My reason, it's true, controls my feelings, but whatever its authority, it doesn't rule them...

It takes good memory to keep up a lie.

It takes good memory to keep up a lie.

We never taste happiness in perfection, our most fortunate successes are mixed with sadness.

We never taste happiness in perfection, our most fortunate successes are mixed with sadness.

Clemency is the noblest trait which can reveal a true monarch to the world.

Clemency is the noblest trait which can reveal a true monarch to the world.

A true king is neither husband nor father; he considers his throne and nothing else.

A true king is neither husband nor father; he considers his throne and nothing else.

I can be forced to live without happiness, but I will never consent to live...

I can be forced to live without happiness, but I will never consent to live...

I would not like a king who could obey.

I would not like a king who could obey.

Those who easily forgive invite offenses.

Those who easily forgive invite offenses.

We triumph without glory when we conquer without danger.

We triumph without glory when we conquer without danger.

Alas, I emerge from one disaster to fall into a worse.

Alas, I emerge from one disaster to fall into a worse.

Just vengeance does not call for punishment.

Just vengeance does not call for punishment.

He who fears not death fears not a threat.

He who fears not death fears not a threat.

I see, I know, I believe, I am undeceived.

I see, I know, I believe, I am undeceived.