55
La inteligencia sin ambición es un pájaro sin alas.
Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.
By Salvador Dalí
418
No llores porque se terminó, sonríe porque sucedió.
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.
By Unknown
We can choose to be sad that something is over, or we can be happy and grateful for the experience. Although this quote is commonly attributed to Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez, the true author is actually unknown.
414
La verdad adelgaza, pero no quiebra.
The truth may be stretched thin, but it never breaks.
By Miguel de Cervantes
Cervantes is Spain’s most internationally acclaimed writer, so it’s wise to heed his words of wisdom. He advises always telling the truth, as it will eventually come to light, even if one attempts to obscure or distort it. This quote highlights the universal nature of truth and its lasting significance, even in the era of “fake news.”
416
Como no me he preocupado de nacer, no me preocupo de morir.
Just as I did not worry about being born, I am not worried about dying.
By Federico García Lorca
Lorca, known for his deep engagement with themes of life, death, and existence, often explored these themes in his poetry and plays. This quote encapsulates Lorca's contemplative approach to life's inevitable events, suggesting a calm acceptance and focusing on the quality of one's living rather than the inevitability of death.
280
Hay que sentir el pensamiento y pensar el sentimiento.
We must feel the thought and think the feeling.
By Miguel de Unamuno y Jugo (1864 - 1936)
Unamuno was a Spanish writer and philosopher of the '98 Generation. In his work he cultivated a wide variety of literary genres, including novels, essays, drama and poetry. His ideas confront the existentialist debates of human existence and the tension between faith and reason. As seen in this quote, he believed in the integration of emotion and intellect, as separating them only limits our ability to fully understand life's deeper meaning.
78
El futuro no está escrito porque sólo el pueblo puede escribirlo.
The future is not written, because only the people can write it.
By Adolfo Suárez González, Spain's first democratically elected prime minister after the dictatorship
The statement was part of the presentation of the 1976 Political Reform, which allowed for the transition from General Franco's regime to a democratic constitutional system.
415
Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar.
Traveller, there is no path; the path is made by walking.
By Antonio Machado
This quote is an extract from one of Machado's most famous poems, 'Caminante no hay camino', a philosophical reflection on how life is navigated through our actions and decisions, rather than following a set course.
279
El pasado no nos dirá lo que debemos hacer, pero sí lo que deberíamos evitar.
The past will not tell us what we should do, but it will tell us what we should avoid.
By José Ortega y Gasset (1883 - 1955), Spanish philosopher and essayist
José Ortega y Gasset was a Spanish philosopher and essayist, and a leading proponent of the theory of perspectivism and vital and historical reason, associated with the Noucentisme movement. Through this quote, he encourages us to learn from our mistakes to avoid repeating them.
272
Amar es verse como otro ser nos ve.
To love is to see ourselves as another being sees us.
By María Zambrano
This quote conveys the idea that true love involves a deep, mutual understanding that extends to how we see ourselves through the lens of our loved ones. Its author, María Zambrano was a Spanish philosopher and writer. Her vast body of work, combining civic commitment and poetic thought, was not recognised in Spain until the last quarter of the twentieth century, after a long exile. Her literary work has been essential to the consolidation of contemporary Spanish literature, and she stands out for her commitment to women and her fight for gender equality in Spanish society. Already at an advanced age, she was awarded Spain's two highest literary prizes: the Prince of Asturias Prize in 1981 and the Cervantes Prize in 1988.
420
Como Pedro por su casa.
Like Peter at home.
By Unknown
When someone appears unusually at ease in a place that isn’t theirs, it's often said they are "like Peter at home." This saying, which some sources date back to the 11th century, is connected to a historical event around the year 1000. During one of the battles between the Christian kings and the rulers of Al Ándalus, Pedro I of Aragon conquered Huesca with such ease and minimal resistance that it is said that he walked through the city as though it were his own home.
419
Enamorarse es crear una religión cuyo Dios es falible.
Falling in love is creating a religion whose God is fallible.
By Jorge Luis Borges, Argentine writer and poet
If we place all our hope in one person, we're bound to be disappointed, as no one is perfect. This quote comes from the Argentine poet and writer Jorge Luis Borges' short story 'El Aleph', which explores the philosophical limitations of human understanding.
421
Luchar contra molinos.
Fighting windmills.
By Miguel de Cervantes
This quote is of literary origin, referring to engaging in a futile or misguided struggle against imaginary or exaggerated enemies. It is taken from Chapter VIII of the First Part of 'El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha', by Miguel de Cervantes, entitled 'Los molinos de viento' (The windmills). This episode narrates Don Quixote's battle with some windmills that he encounters on his way and mistakes for giants, despite his faithful squire Sancho's warnings that they are not giants but merely windmills..
417
El hombre que se levanta es aún más grande que el que no ha caído.
The man who rises is greater than the man who has not fallen.
By Concepción Arenal, writer and moral reformer
People who keep trying despite their failures are already more successful than those who never make an effort.