It is not shameful for a man to succumb to pain and it is shameful to succumb to pleasure.

Curiosity is only vanity. We usually only want to know something so that we can talk about it.

All the maxims have been written. It only remains to put them into practice.

Things have different qualities, and the soul different inclinations; for nothing is simple which is presented to the soul, and the soul never presents itself simply to any object. Hence it comes that we weep and laugh at the same thing.

Our nature lies in movement; complete calm is death.

To go beyond the bounds of moderation is to outrage humanity. The greatness of the human soul is shown by knowing how to keep within proper bounds. There are two equally dangerous extremes- to shut reason out, and not to let nothing in.

Vanity is illustrated in the cause and effect of love, as in the case of Cleopatra.