Be thou the first true merit to befriend, his praise is lost who stays till all commend.
Ask you what provocation I have had? The strong antipathy of good to bad.
But blind to former as to future fate, what mortal knows his pre-existent state?
Our passions are like convulsion fits, which, though they make us stronger for a time, leave us the weaker ever after.
Strength of mind is exercise, not rest.
Honor and shame from no condition rise. Act well your part: there all the honor lies.