The good man shuns evil and follows good; he keeps secret that which ought to be hidden; he makes his virtues manifest to all; he does not forsake one in adversity; he gives in season: such are the marks of a worthy friend.

Kindness can turn the bad man's heart, and fools convert to wise, Make poison into nectar-juice, and friends of enemies.

Idleness is a great enemy to mankind. There is no friend like energy, for, if you cultivate that, it will never fail.

The constant man loses not his virtue in misfortune. A torch may point towards the ground, but its flame will still point upwards.

A good man may fall, but he falls like a ball [and rebounds]; the ignoble man falls like a lump of clay.

Trees loaded with fruit are bent down; the clouds when charged with fresh rain hang down near the earth: even so good men are not uplifted through prosperity. Such is the natural character of the liberal.

Let us keep a firm grip upon our money, for without it the whole assembly of virtues are but as blades of grass.