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 is less likely to be mistaken who looks forward to a change in the affairs of the world than he who regards them as firm and stable.

Since there is nothing so well worth having as friends, never lose a chance to make them.

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.

Affairs that depend on many rarely succeed.

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

It is a great matter to be in authority over others; for authority, if it be rightly used, will make you feared beyond your actual resources.