To find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing.

The sage has one advantage: he is immortal. If this is not his century, many others will be.

There is no wilderness like a life without friends; friendship multiplies blessings and minimizes misfortunes; it is a unique remedy against adversity, and it soothes the soul.

If you are wise, live as you can; if you cannot, live as you would.

You should aim to be independent of any one vote, of any one fashion, of any one century.

Lies always come first, dragging fools along by their irreparable vulgarity. Truth always lags last, limping along on the arm of time.

A wise prince must never take things easy in times of peace.