# The Decameron

- Author: [Giovanni Boccaccio](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio.md)
- Quotes: 25
- Book page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron

## Quotes

> An oak is not felled by a single blow of the axe.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/an-oak-is-not.md)

> Charming ladies, the beauty of a flock of white doves is better enhanced by a black crow than by a pure white swan.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/charming-ladies-the.md)

> They banish us to the kitchen, there to tell stories to the cat.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/they-banish-us-to-the.md)

> People are more inclined to believe in bad intentions than in good ones.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/people-are-more.md)

> Wrongs committed in the distant past are far easier to condemn than to rectify.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/wrongs-committed-in-the.md)

> A sweet little mouth with lips like rubies.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/a-sweet-little.md)

> Shortly afterwards the moon rose with a very clear sky, and [he] kept watch.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/shortly-afterwards-the.md)

> Every person born into this world has a natural right to sustain, preserve, and defend his own life to the best of his ability.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/every-person-born.md)

> A just king must be the first to observe those laws that he has himself prescribed.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/a-just-king.md)

> The nature of wit is such that its bite must be like that of a sheep rather than a dog, for if it were to bite the listener like a dog, it would no longer be wit but abuse.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/the-nature-of-wit.md)

> If of thy talons, Love, be quit I may,
>
> I deem it scarce can be
>
> But other fangs I may elude for aye.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/if-of-thy.md)

> The deceived has the better of the deceiver.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/the-deceived-has.md)

> I propose to tell you a very brief tale about a love which...ran a smooth course to its happy conclusion.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/i-propose-to-tell.md)

> The power of the pen is far greater than those people suppose who have not proved it by experience.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/the-power-of-the.md)

> In the affairs of this world, poverty alone is without envy.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/in-the-affairs.md)

> While superfluity engenders disgust, appetite is but whetted when fruit is forbidden.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/while-superfluity-engenders.md)

> I have always been given to understand…that whereas a single cock is quite sufficient for ten hens, ten men are hard put to satisfy one woman.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/i-have-always.md)

> A sin that's hidden is half forgiven.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/a-sin-thats.md)

> He who is wicked and held to be good, can cheat because no one imagines he would.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/he-who-is-wicked.md)

> Do as we say, not as we do.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/do-as-we-say.md)

> It frequently happens that people grow tired of always eating the same food, and desire a change of diet.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/it-frequently-happens.md)

> And if his own joy knew no bounds, the girl was no less delighted on seeing him.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/and-if-his.md)

> A kissed mouth doesn't lose its freshness, for like the moon it always renews itself.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/a-kissed-mouth.md)

> Non come uomini, ma quasi come bestie, morieno.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/non-come-uomini.md)

> Chi mal ti vuol, mal ti sogna.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giovanni-boccaccio/the-decameron/chi-mal-ti-vuol.md)