If you strike upon a thought that baffles you, break off from that entanglement and try another, so shall your wits be fresh to start again.

Youth ages, immaturity is outgrown, ignorance can be educated, and drunkenness sobered, but stupid lasts forever.

Meton (astronomer in 5th century BC): With the straight ruler I set to work To make the circle four-cornered .

Shall I crack any of those old jokes, master, At which the audience never fail to laugh?

A man may learn wisdom even from a foe.

This is what extremely grieves us, that a man who never fought Should contrive our fees to pilfer, on who for his native land Never to this day had oar, or lance, or blister in his hand.

Men of sense often learn from their enemies. It is from their foes, not their friends, that cities learn the lesson of building high walls and ships of war.