How much luckier than all the rest of mankind are the astrologers who, if they tell one truth among a hundred lies, obtain so much credit that even their lies are believed.

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.

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.

...be more guided by hope than fear.

Pay no heed to those who tell you that they have relinquished place and power of their own accord, and from their love of quiet. For almost always they have been brought to this retirement by their insufficiency and against their will.

Keep your eye fixed not so much on what they [people] ought in reason to do, as on what they are likely to do based on their disposition and habits.

The return we reap from generous actions is not always evident.