John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
9440 Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra 1547-1616 John Bartlett
| NUMBER: | 9440 |
| AUTHOR: | Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547–1616) |
| QUOTATION: | I would have nobody to control me; I would be absolute: and who but I? Now, he that is absolute can do what he likes; he that can do what he likes can take his pleasure; he that can take his pleasure can be content; and he that can be content has no more to desire. So the matter ’s over; and come what will come, I am satisfied. 1 |
| ATTRIBUTION: | Don Quixote. Part i. Book iv. Chap. xxiii. |
| Note 1. 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.—Jarvis’s translation. [back] |