Gold like the sun, which melts wax, but hardens clay, expands great souls.
A fool may have his coat embroidered with gold, but it is a fool's coat still.
Oblivion is the rule and fame the exception, of humanity.
Opinions, theories, and systems pass by turns over the grindstone of time, which at first gives them brilliancy and sharpness, but finally wears them out.
Man spends his life in reasoning on the past, in complaining of the present, in fearing future.
The absolute ruler may be a Nero, but he is sometimes a Titus or Marc Aurelius; the people is often Nero, but never Marc Aurelius.