Look at the orators in our republics; as long as they are poor, both state and people can only praise their uprightness; but once they are fattened on the public funds, they conceive a hatred for justice, plan intrigues against the people and attack the democracy.

No man is really honest; none of us is above the influence of gain.

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.

The old are in a second childhood.

Have you ever, looking up, seen a cloud like to a Centaur, a Part, or a Wolf, or a Bull?

You're mistaken; men of sense often learn much from their enemies. Prudence is the best safeguard. This principle cannot be learnt from a friend: but an enemy extorts it immediately. It is from their foes and not their friends, that cities learn the lesson of building high walls and ships of war. And this lesson saves their children, their homes, and their properties.

[Y]ou [man] are fool enough, it seems, to dare to war with [woman=] me, when for your faithful ally you might win me easily.