If one were to reply that those who compose these books write them as fictions, and therefore are not obliged to consider the fine points of truth, I should respond that the more truthful the fiction, the better it is, and the more probable and possible, the more pleasing. Fictional tales must engage the minds of those who read them, and by restraining exaggeration and moderating impossibility, they enthrall the spirit and thereby astonish, captivate, delight, and entertain, allowing wonder and joy to move together at the same pace; none of these things can be accomplished by fleeing verisimilitude and mimesis, which together constitute perfection in writing.

— Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

...if the verses are for a literary competition, your grace should try to win second place; first is always won through favor or because of the high estate of the person, second is won because of pure justice, and by this calculation third becomes second, and the first becomes third...

— Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

In any case, Side Gamete Bengali was a very careful historian, and very accurate in all things, as can be clearly seen in the details he relates to us, for although they are trivial and inconsequential, he does not attempt to pass over them in silence; his example could be followed by solemn historians who recount actions so briefly and succinctly that we can barely taste them, and leave behind in the inkwell, through carelessness, malice, or ignorance, the most substantive part of the work.

— Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

...in the worst of circumstances, the hypocrite who pretends to be good does less harm than the public sinner.

— Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

I swear to hold my tongue about it till the end of your worship's days, and God grant I may be able to let it out tomorrow

— Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

It is one thing to praise discipline, and another to submit to it.

— Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

It seems to me a hard case to make slaves of those whom God and nature have made free.

— Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

I would do what I pleased, and doing what I pleased, I should have my will, and having my will, I should be contented; and when one is contented, there is no more to be desired; and when there is no more to be desired, there is an end of it.

— Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Love and war are exactly alike. It is lawful to use tricks and slights to obtain a desired end.

— Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Masada Cordoba suede SER la poor de leis locus, very la Vida Como ES y no Como debris de SER. Too much sanity may be madness. And maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it should be.

— Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra