Sancho to Don Quixote, in Ch. 9, Peter Anthony Motteux translation (1701).
Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Part I, Book III
Context: To withdraw is not to run away, and to stay is no wise action when there is more reason to fear than to hope. 'Tis the part of a wise man to keep himself today for tomorrow, and not venture all his eggs in one basket. And though I am but a clown, or a bumpkin, as you may say, yet I would have you to know I know what is what, and have always taken care of the main chance...
Miguel de Cervantes: Man
Miguel de Cervantes was Spanish novelist, poet, and playwright. Explore interesting quotes on man.Miguel de Cervantes: 356 quotes79 likes
“Time ripens all things. No man is born wise. Bishops are made of men and not of stones.”
Source: Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Part II (1615), Book III, Ch. 33. Note: "Time ripens all things" is the translator's interpolation and does not appear in the original Spanish text.
Source: Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Part II (1615), Book III, Ch. 33, as translated by Pierre Antoine Motteux in The History of the Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha (1701)
Variant translations:
I'm kind-hearted by nature, and full of compassion for the poor; there's no stealing the loaf from him who kneads and bakes; and by my faith it won't do to throw false dice with me; I am an old dog, and I know all about 'tus, tus;' I can be wide-awake if need be, and I don't let clouds come before my eyes, for I know where the shoe pinches me; I say so, because with me the good will have support and protection, and the bad neither footing nor access. And it seems to me that, in governments, to make a beginning is everything; and maybe, after having been governor a fortnight, I'll take kindly to the work and know more about it than the field labour I have been brought up to.
Honesty's the best policy.
Context: I was ever charitable and good to the poor, and scorn to take the bread out of another man's mouth. On the other side, by our Lady, they shall play me no foul play. I am an old cur at a crust, and can sleep dog-sleep when I list. I can look sharp as well as another, and let me alone to keep the cobwebs out of my eyes. I know where the shoe wrings me. I will know who and who is together. Honesty is the best policy, I will stick to that. The good shall have my hand and heart, but the bad neither foot nor fellowship. And in my mind, the main point of governing, is to make a good beginning.
“The brave man carves out his fortune, and every man is the son of his own works.”
Source: Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Part I, Book I, Ch. 4.
“He has an oar in every man's boat, and a finger in every pie.”
Source: Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Part II (1615), Book III, Ch. 22.
“Plain as the nose on a man's face.”
Source: Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Part I, Book III, Ch. 4.
“Let every man mind his own business.”
Source: Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Part I, Book III, Ch. 8.
“When a man says, "Get out of my house! what would you have with my wife?"”
there is no answer to be made.
Source: Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Part II (1615), Book III, Ch. 43.
“What a man has, so much he is sure of.”
Variant: What a man has, so much he is sure of.
Source: Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Part II (1615), Book III, Ch. 43.
Source: Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Part II (1615), Book III, Ch. 7.
“An honest man's word is as good as his bond.”
Source: Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Part II (1615), Book IV, Ch. 34.
“It is a true saying that a man must eat a peck of salt with his friend before he knows him.”
Source: Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Part I, Book III, Ch. 1.
“Every man was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth.”
Source: Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Part II (1615), Book IV, Ch. 73.
“Every man is as Heaven made him, and sometimes a great deal worse.”
Cada uno es como Dios le hizo, y aún peor muchas veces.
Source: Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Part II (1615), Book III, Ch. 4.
“Let every man look before he leaps.”
Source: Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Part II (1615), Book III, Ch. 14.
Source: Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Part I, Book III, Ch. 8.
Source: Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Unplaced as yet by chapter, Ch. 11.
Source: Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Part II (1615), Book III, Ch. 68.
“It is not the hand but the understanding of a man that may be said to write.”
Book III, Author's Preface
Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Part II (1615), Book III
Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605–1615), Unplaced as yet by chapter