For even they who compose treatises of medicine or natural philosophy in verse are denominated Poets: yet Homer and Empedocles have nothing in common except their metre; the former, therefore, justly merits the name of the Poet; while the other should rather be called a Physiologist than a Poet.

It is clear, then, that wisdom is knowledge having to do with certain principles and causes. But now, since it is this knowledge that we are seeking, we must consider the following point: of what kind of principles and of what kind of causes is wisdom the knowledge?

There must be in prudence also some master virtue.

Youth is easily deceived because it is quick to hope.

Life is full of chances and changes, and the most prosperous of men may in the evening of his days meet with great misfortunes.

Wit is educated insolence.

What is common to many is least taken care of, for all men have greater regard for what is their own than what they possess in common with others.