Truth does less good in the world than its appearances do harm.

Luxury and excessive refinement are sure forerunners of the decadence of states, because when all individuals seek their own interests they neglect the public weal.

The constancy of the wise is only the art of keeping disquietude to one's self.

A clever man should handle his interests so that each will fall in suitable order of their value.

The greatest of all gifts is the power to estimate things at their true worth

We are never either so fortunate or so misfortunate as we imagine.

The desire to seem clever often keeps us from being so.