There is nothing so fleeting as the memory of benefits received.
Francesco GuicciardiniRead
Few revolutions succeed, and when they do, you often discover they did not gain what you hoped for, and you condemn yourself to perpetual fear, as the parties you defeated may always regain power and work for your ruin.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Revolutions often fail to achieve their intended goals, leading to a cycle of fear and power struggles.
This quote by Francesco Guicciardini reflects on the nature of revolutions and the disillusionment that often follows them. It suggests that even successful uprisings may not bring the hoped-for changes, leaving individuals in a state of anxiety about the resurgence of previous powers. The cycle of conflict can lead to a sense of hopelessness where the newly established order may not be as stable or beneficial as envisioned, thus placing individuals in a continuous state of fear regarding their future.
Themes
RevolutionFearPowerDisillusionmentChange
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about political upheaval, you can quote Guicciardini to emphasize the uncertainty that follows revolutions.
More from Francesco Guicciardini
All quotes →If you attempt certain things at the right time, they are easy to accomplish - in fact, they almost get done by themselves. If you undertake them before the time is right, not only will they fail, but they will often become impossible to accomplish even when the time would have been right.
Francesco GuicciardiniRead
Conspiracies, since they cannot be engaged in without the fellowship of others, are for that reason most perilous; for as most men are either fools or knaves, we run excessive risk in making such folk our companions.
Francesco GuicciardiniRead
He who imitates what is evil always goes beyond the example that is set; on the contrary, he who imitates what is good always falls short.
Francesco GuicciardiniRead
Let no one trust so entirely to natural prudence as to persuade himself that it will suffice to guide him without help from experience.
Francesco GuicciardiniRead
One who imitates what is bad always goes beyond his model; while one who imitates what is good always comes up short of it.
Francesco GuicciardiniRead
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