The Most Exceptional Don Quixote Quotes
Don Quixote is a Spanish novel and a classic work of Western literature written by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra.
Don Quixote follows the story of a middle-aged nobleman Alonso Quixano who, after reading many chivalric romances, decides to become a knight-errant.
Key Takeaways
- It was first published in two parts (Part I, 1605, El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha (The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha); Part II, 1615, Segunda parte del ingenioso caballero don Quijote de la Mancha (Second Part of the Ingenious Knight Don Quixote of La Mancha)).
- Don Quixote is considered the first modern novel.
- It is one of the most-translated and best-selling novels of all time.
- With numerous works of critical discussion and many adaptations, Don Quixote inspired artists in almost every medium.
You are a king by your own fireside, as much as any monarch on his throne.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), The Author's Preface, Page xxiv
The brave man carves out his fortune, and every man is the son of his own works.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part I, Chapter IV, Page 18
The eyes those silent tongues of love.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part I, Chapter XI, Page 56
There is not the least thing can be said or done but people will talk and find fault.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part I, Chapter XII, Page 60
A man must eat a peck of salt with his friend, before he knows him.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part I, Chapter XV, Page 77
Every tooth in a man’s head is more valuable than a diamond.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part I, Chapter XVII, Page 92
That is the nature of women, not to love when we love them, and to love when we love them not.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part I, Chapter XIX, Page 103
The devil, who seldom lies dead in a ditch, but will have a finger in every pie.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part I, Chapter XIX, Page 102
Fear is sharp-sighted, and can see things under ground, and much more in the skies.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part I, Chapter XIX, Page 101
Those who will play with cats must expect to be scratched.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part I, Chapter XXI, Page 121
A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part I, Chapter XXX, Page 198
Virtue is more zealously persecuted by ill men than it is beloved by the good.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part I, Chapter XLIII, Page 286
The bow cannot always stand bent, nor can human frailty subsist without some lawful recreation.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part I, Chapter XLIV, Page 293
When the head aches, all the members partake of the pain.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part II, Chapter II, Page 329
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Every man is as Heaven made him, and sometimes a great deal worse.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part II, Chapter IV, Page 341
There is no sauce in the world like hunger.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part II, Chapter V, Page 346
A little in one’s own pocket is better than much in another man’s purse. It is good to keep a nest egg. Many little makes a mickle. While a man gets he never can lose.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part II, Chapter VII, Page 356
There is a remedy for all things but death, which will be sure to lay us flat one time or other.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part II, Chapter X, Page 371
There were but two families in the world – Have-Much and Have-Little.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part II, Chapter XX, Page 432
Love and war are the same thing, and stratagems and policy are as allowable in the one as in the other.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part II, Chapter XXI, Page 437
Great persons are able to do great kindnesses.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part II, Chapter XXXII, Page 509
Honesty is the best policy.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part II, Chapter XXXIII, Page 512
An honest man’s word is as good as his bond.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part II, Chapter XXXIV, Page 519
Many go out for wool, and come home shorn themselves.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part II, Chapter XXXVII, Page 532
Drink moderately; for drunkenness neither keeps a secret nor observes a promise.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part II, Chapter XLIII, Page 561
Diligence is the mother of good fortune.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part II, Chapter XLIII, Page 562
Many count their chickens before they are hatched; and where they expect bacon, meet with broken bones.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part II, Chapter LV, Page 635
The ass will carry his load, but not a double load; ride not a free horse to death.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part II, Chapter LXXI, Page 720
Never look for birds of this year in the nests of the last.(translation by John Willis Clark), (ed. 1871), Part II, Chapter LXXIV, Page 735
FAQs
"At a certain village in La Mancha, of which I cannot remember the name; there lived not long ago one of those old-fashioned gentlemen who are never without a lance upon a rack, an old target, a lean horse, and a greyhound."
"As for me, I must esteem myself happy to have been the first that rendered those fabulous nonsensical stories of knight-errantry the object of the public aversion. They are already going down, and I do not doubt but they will drop and fall all together in good earnest, never to rise again. Adieu."
"And thus by sleeping little, and reading much, the moisture of his brain was exhausted to that degree that at last he lost the use of his reason."