Trees bend low with ripened fruit; clouds hang down with gentle rain; noble people bow graciously. This is the way of generous things.

What is the most profitable? Fellowship with the good. What is the worst thing in the world? The society of evil men. What is the greatest loss? Failure in one?s duty. Where is the greatest peace? In truth and righteousness. Who is the hero? The man who subdues his senses. Who is the best beloved? The faithful wife. What is wealth? Knowledge. What is the most perfect happiness? Staying at home.

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.

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.

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

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