The ass will carry his load, but not a double load; ride not a free horse to death.

Reading Don Quixote can be compared to an indefinite visit from your most impossible senior relative, with all his pranks, dirty habits, unstoppable reminiscences, and terrible cronies. When the experience is over, and the old boy checks out at last (on page 846 - the prose wedged tight, with no breaks for dialogue), you will shed tears all right; not tears of relief or regret but tears of pride. You made it, despite all that 'Don Quixote' could do.

Tell me what company thou keepest and I'll tell thee what thou art.

There is no jewel in the world so valuable as a chaste and virtuous woman.

Let the worst come to the worst.

Alas! all music jars when the soul's out of tune.

There is no greater folly in the world than for a man to despair.