As we noted in another post, April 23, 2016 is being observed as the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death. In one of those historic twists of fate too amazing to be considered mere chance, April 22, 2016 — a difference of one day — marks the 400th anniversary of Miguel de Cervantes, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the history of the Spanish language and the world’s pre-eminent novelist. (Note: There is debate over the precise days both Shakespeare and Cervantes died.)
To those who have started and run small businesses with success — and with failure — Cervantes’ Don Quixote is not only a classic of western literature, it is the source of an unofficial small business lectionary of sayings and proverbs that capture the essence of the limitless-sky possibilities and impossible dreams that inspire and motivate the daily journey of every small business owner or manager.
While there are many, many more, here are our top 35 English translations of quotations from Cervantes’ classic novel Don Quixote, in which the author uses a simple man to say some of the most inspiring words found in all of literature.
#35 You are a king by your own fireside, as much as any monarch in his throne.
Prologue
#34 Can we ever have too much of a good thing?
Part I Book I Chapter 6
#33 A man must eat a peck of salt with his friend before he knows him.
Part I Book III Chapter 1
#32 There’s not the least thing can be said or done, but people will talk and find fault.
Part I Book II Chapter 4
#31 Fair and softly goes far.
Part I Book III Chapter 2
#30 The more thou stir it, the worse it will be.
Part I Book III Chapter 6
#29 Experience, the universal Mother of Sciences.
Part I Book III Chapter 7
#28 Let every man mind his own business.
Part I Book III Chapter 8
#27 To withdraw is not to run away
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…
Part I Book III Chapter 9
#26 Think before thou speakest.
Part I Book IV Chapter 3.
#25 A closed mouth catches no flies.
Part I Book III Chapter 11
#24 Let us make hay while the sun shines.
Part I Book III Chapter 11
#22 It is good to live and learn.
Part II Book III Chapter 33
#21 Honesty is the best policy.
Part II Book III Chapter 33
#20 Let us forget and forgive injuries.
Part I Book IV Chapter 3.
#19 A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Part I Book IV Chapter 4.
#18 The pot calls the kettle black.
Part II Book III Chapter 43
#17 When thou art at Rome, do as they do at Rome.
Part II Book III Chapter 54
#16 The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
Part I Book IV Chapter 10
#15 A little in one’s own pocket is better than much in another man’s purse. Tis good to keep a nest egg.
Part II Book III Chapter 7
#14 Forewarned forearmed.
Part II Book III Chapter 10
#13 Let every man look before he leaps.
Part II Book III Chapter 14
#12 Many count their chickens before they are hatched
Part II Book III Chapter 55
#11 You cannot eat your cake and have your cake
Part II Book III Chapter 43
#10 Many go out for wool, and come home shorn themselves.
Part II Book III Chapter 37
#9 There is a time for some things, and a time for all things; a time for great things, and a time for small things.
Part II Book III Chapter 35
#8 Comparisons are odious.
Part II Book III Chapter 23
#7 All is not gold that glisters.
Part II Book III Chapter 33
#6 Make it thy business to know thyself, which is the most difficult lesson in the world.
Part II Book III Chapter 42
#5 A good name is better than riches.
Part II Book III Chapter 33
#4 An honest man’s word is as good as his bond.
Part II Book IV Chapter 34
#3 Diligence is the mother of good fortune, and idleness — its opposite — never brought a man to the goal of any of his best wishes.
Part II Book IV Chapter 37
#2 Tomorrow will be a new day.
Part II Book III Chapter 26
#1 No limits but the sky.
Part I Book III Chapter 3