At Bene Comune Press, we believe that the future of our societies depends on how deeply we understand and prioritize the Bene Comune—the Common Good. Rooted in centuries of philosophical, civic, and spiritual traditions, the Common Good reminds us that actual progress is not measured by individual gain alone, but by the flourishing of all people and the well-being of our shared world. Today, at a time when divisions and inequalities threaten the very fabric of our communities, embracing the Common Good is more vital than ever across every sector—government, business, education, and civil society. Our mission at Bene Comune Press is to spread the knowledge, relevance, and transformative power of the Common Good by promoting thoughtful, inspiring publications in both English and Italian. Each work we publish and promote illuminates different dimensions of this essential idea, helping to shape leaders, communities, and systems committed to a more just, sustainable, and compassionate future.
What is “Bene Comune”?
Here are some of our favorite quotes that help us understand what “Bene Comune” (Common Good) is all about:
The good for each individual is attainable only through the common good.” — Aristotle
“Il bene comune deve prevalere sull’interesse particolare.” — Papa Francesco
“The welfare of the people is the highest law.” — Cicero
“La politica è la forma più alta di carità, perché è al servizio del bene comune.” — Papa Paolo VI
“The common good is better than the good of the individual.” — St. Thomas Aquinas
“Non si può costruire la propria felicità sull’infelicità degli altri.” — Aldo Capitini
“The common good is the set of conditions that allow all individuals to flourish.” — John Rawls
“La società non è altro che il bene comune comunicato a ciascuno.” — Jean-Jacques Rousseau
“We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
“L’amore per il bene comune deve prevalere su ogni egoismo personale o di gruppo.” — Giorgio La Pira
“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt
“La democrazia si fonda sulla ricerca del bene comune, non sulla somma di interessi individuali.” — Sandro Pertini
“The common good cannot be understood as simply the sum of individual interests. It moves beyond them, requiring solidarity and a preferential option for the poor.” — Pope Francis
“Il vero progresso sociale non consiste nell’aumentare i bisogni, ma nel ridurli volontariamente; solo così si favorisce il bene comune.” — Mahatma Gandhi
“The common good embraces the sum of those conditions of social life which enable individuals, families, and organizations to achieve their own perfection more fully and more easily.” — John Paul II
“La libertà si realizza pienamente solo nella responsabilità verso il bene comune.” — Benedetto XVI
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi
“Il bene comune è più importante del bene di pochi, anzi, è il vero bene di ciascuno.” — Don Lorenzo Milani
“The common good is what we owe each other — it’s what makes our lives worth living together.” — Barack Obama
Publishing for the Common Good
“Through the power of words and ideas, we build bridges between tradition and innovation, nurturing a future where education serves the common good and leadership inspires collective well-being.”
Welcome to Bene Comune Press
At Bene Comune Press, our mission is simple yet profound: to inspire and deepen our collective awareness for a better, more just world through the power of critical education. Rooted in the values of the “common good,” Bene Comune (Italian for “Common Good”) embodies a commitment to the flourishing of all people, guiding our publications toward educating the next generation of leaders.
A Bridge Between Traditions: San Francisco and Cortona
Our name evokes “Pace e Bene” (Peace and Good), the beloved greeting of Saint Francis of Assisi, and reflects the deep connection between his spiritual journey and the places that shaped him. Among these, Cortona holds a special significance. Nestled between Assisi, his birthplace, and the Sanctuary of La Verna, Cortona was a favorite retreat for Saint Francis. It was here, at Le Celle of Cortona, that he found a place for meditation, healing, and reflection. Under the guidance of Fra Elia, Saint Francis deepened his spiritual learning and nurtured his soul in this sacred space.
Just as Cortona served as a middle point in Saint Francis’s life, connecting Assisi and La Verna, Bene Comune bridges the peaceful, contemplative values of Assisi with the innovative spirit of San Francisco. Our publications draw from this rich heritage of compassion, simplicity, and care for the marginalized, merging these timeless ideals with San Francisco’s creativity, diversity, and commitment to social change. Together, these traditions shape our vision for publishing that nourishes the mind, heart, and spirit, all in service of the common good.
Educating for the Common Good and a Better Future
Our publications carry forward the timeless mission to educate for the common good, working to build a better world for future generations of leaders. We feature lessons and values from educators like Don Lorenzo Milani, whose groundbreaking work in Florence and Barbiana revolutionized education by fostering critical thinking and inclusion. Milani opened the eyes of his students to new opportunities, empowering them to become thoughtful, critical agents of change.
A Catalyst for Empathy, Equity, and Sustainability
At Bene Comune Press, each book, article, and resource serves as a catalyst for developing leaders who will champion a fair, sustainable, and humane future. We invite you to explore our publications and join us in the journey toward building a world shaped by empathy, equity, and the common good.
“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
This phrase, attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, reflects his humble and determined approach to making meaningful change in the world, beginning with small, essential actions and trusting that they will lead to greater impact.
We are inspired by the impactful leadership of figures like Saint Francis of Assisi and Don Lorenzo Milani. Through the reflections and insights shared in Bene Comune Press publications, we hope to inspire you to bring these values into your own life and leadership, empowering you to lead with purpose and for the common good.
One of Don Lorenzo Milani’s most inspiring phrases is:
“I care.”
“I care” was the motto he promoted at the Barbiana school, representing a commitment to social responsibility and active engagement with the world.
This simple yet powerful phrase encapsulates Milani’s dedication to empathy, inclusion, and the belief that every individual has a responsibility to care for and improve society.
Two Bridges connected
Bene Comune Press is rooted in two globally influential cities: Florence, Tuscany (Italy), and San Francisco, California (USA). Its mission embodies the symbolic connection between these historic cities, each represented by iconic bridges—the Ponte Vecchio and the Golden Gate Bridge. These bridges are more than just architectural landmarks; they serve as powerful metaphors for the exchange of ideas and values that transcend time. The vibrant legacy of Florence, a cradle of innovation and artistic flourishing during the Renaissance, reverberates in San Francisco, now a hub of technological innovation and social progress in the Bay Area. Together, these “bridges” from Renaissance thought to contemporary tech-driven renewal form the cornerstone of Bene Comune Press’ mission: nurturing ecosystems of renewal, shared prosperity, and critical awareness for a more just and connected world. Through its publications, Bene Comune Press seeks to inspire future generations to bridge the past and future, fostering transformative change for the common good.
“We give ourselves the form that we choose… the seeds we sow will grow into the destiny we cultivate.”
— Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (Florence, Renaissance Humanist)
“The end of all education should surely be service to others… Education is only worth its value in how it improves the lives of those around us.”
— César Chávez (San Francisco, Social Justice Leader)
Join us at Bene Comune Press as we cultivate a world where education ignites change, empathy fuels leadership, and the common good inspires us all to build a brighter future together.