Giovanni Boccaccio Quotes & Sayings

No-thing less splendid than a golden sepulchre would have suited so noble a heart. — Giovanni Boccaccio

Although love dwells in gorgeous palaces, and sumptuous apartments, more willingly than in miserable and desolate cottages, it cannot be denied but that he sometimes causes his power to be felt in the gloomy recesses of forests, among the most bleak and rugged mountains, and in the dreary caves of a desert. — Giovanni Boccaccio

Human it is to have compassion on the unhappy — Giovanni Boccaccio

Fiammetta, whose wavy tresses fell in a flood of gold over her white and delicate shoulders — Giovanni Boccaccio

In the affairs of this world, poverty alone is without envy. — Giovanni Boccaccio

People tend to believe the bad rather than the good. — Giovanni Boccaccio

To have compassion for those who suffer is a human quality which everyone should possess, especially those who have required comfort themselves in the past and have managed to find it in others. — Giovanni Boccaccio

Nothing is so indecent that it cannot be said to another person if the proper words are used to convey it. — Giovanni Boccaccio

Much is required of those who are happy, especially if they have needed comforting in the past, and have received it. — Giovanni Boccaccio

While farmers generally allow one rooster for ten hens, ten men are scarcely sufficient to service one woman. — Giovanni Boccaccio

In this world, you only get what you grab for. — Giovanni Boccaccio

Kissed mouth don't lose its fortune, on the contrary it renews itself just as the moon does. — Giovanni Boccaccio

Heaven would indeed be heaven if lovers were there permitted as much enjoyment as they had experienced on earth. — Giovanni Boccaccio

My mind is wholly possessed by Love, who rules every part there of, in virtue of his all-embracing deity. — Giovanni Boccaccio

Alack!' rejoined the other, 'what is this thou sayest? Knowest thou not that we have promised our virginity to God?' 'Oh, as for that,' answered the first, 'how many things are promised Him all day long, whereof not one is fulfilled unto Him! An we have promised it Him, let Him find Himself another or others to perform it to Him.' 'Or if,' went on her fellow, 'we should prove with child, how would it go then?' Quoth the other, 'Thou beginnest to take thought unto ill ere it cometh; when that betideth, then will we look to it; there will be a thousand ways for us of doing so that it shall never be known, provided we ourselves tell it not. — Giovanni Boccaccio

The scholar, as wise as he was full of wrath, knowing that threats only serve as weapons to the person so threatened, kept all his resentment within his own breast [...] — Giovanni Boccaccio

It's better to repent what you enjoyed than to repent not having enjoyed anything. — Giovanni Boccaccio

You must read, you must persevere, you must sit up nights, you must inquire, and exert the utmost power of your mind. If one way does not lead to the desired meaning, take another; if obstacles arise, then still another; until, if your strength holds out, you will find that clear which at first looked dark. — Giovanni Boccaccio

Do as we say, and not as we do — Giovanni Boccaccio

So long she held on in this mourning manner, that, what by the
continuall watering of the Basile, and putrifaction of the head, so
buried in the pot of earth; it grew very flourishing, and most
odorifferous to such as scented it, that as no other Basile could
possibly yeeld so sweete a savour. — Giovanni Boccaccio