Reason is the historian, but passions are the actors.
The modest man has everything to gain, and the arrogant man everything to lose; for modesty has always to deal with generosity, and arrogance with envy.
Very nice couplet, although there are dull stretches.
Gold like the sun, which melts wax, but hardens clay, expands great souls.
Rumor, once started, rushes on like a river, until it mingles with, and is lost in the sea.
It is, no doubt, an immense advantage to have done nothing, but one should not abuse it.