The virtue of prosperity is temperance; the virtue of adversity is fortitude.

Boldness is ever blind, for it sees not dangers and inconveniences whence it is bad in council though good in execution.

The human understanding, from its peculiar nature, easily supposes a greater degree of order and equality in things than it really finds.

Croesus said to Cambyses; That peace was better than war; because in peace the sons did bury their fathers, but in wars the fathers did bury their sons.

When any of the four pillars of government-religion, justice, counsel, and treasure-are mainly shaken or weakened, men had need to pray for fair weather.

Riches are for spending.

Base and crafty cowards are like the arrow that flieth in the dark.