Pietro Metastasio Quotations

The canker which the trunk conceals is revealed by the leaves, the fruit, or the flower.

If every man's internal care Were written on his brow, How many would our pity share Who raise our envy now?

An old warrior is never in haste to strike the blow.

High birth is an accident, not a virtue.

The bee and the serpent often sip from the selfsame flower.

Prepare thy soul calmly to obey; such offering will be more acceptable to God than every other sacrifice.

Sharp and fell remorse, the offspring of my sin! Why do you, O God, lacerate my heart so late? Why, O boding cries, that scream so close to me,--why do I listen to you now, and never heard you before?

How full of error is the judgment of mankind! They wonder at results when they are ignorant of the reasons

Cowards' weapons neither cut nor pierce.

We are like vessels tossed on the bosom of the deep; our passions are the winds that sweep us impetuously forward; each pleasure is a rock; the whole life is a wide ocean. Reason is the pilot to guide us, but often allows itself to be led astray by the storms of pride.