The affairs of this world are so shifting and depend on so many accidents, that it is hard to form any judgment concerning the future; nay, we see from experience that the forecasts even of the wise almost always turn out false.

...be more guided by hope than fear.

There is nothing so fleeting as the memory of benefits received.

Conspiracies, since they cannot be engaged in without the fellowship of others, are for that reason most perilous; for as most men are either fools or knaves, we run excessive risk in making such folk our companions.

Experience has always shown, and reason also, that affairs which depend on many seldom succeed.

The affairs of this world are so shifting and depend on so many accidents, that it is hard to form any judgment concerning the future; nay, we see from experience that the forecasts even of the wise almost always turn out false.

He who imitates what is evil always goes beyond the example that is set; on the contrary, he who imitates what is good always falls short.