I never yet feared those men who set a place apart in the middle of their cities where they gather to cheat one another and swear oaths which they break.

The Persians are very fond of wine ... It is also their general practice to deliberate upon affairs of weight when they are drunk; and then in the morning, when they are sober, the decision to which they came the night before is put before them by the master of the house in which it was made; and if it is then approved they act on it; if not, they set it aside. Sometimes, however, they are sober at their first deliberations, but in this case they always reconsider the matter under the influence of wine.

The most hateful grief of all human griefs is to have knowledge of a truth, but no power over the event.

He is the best man who, when making his plans, fears and reflects on everything that can happen to him, but in the moment of action is bold.

A woman takes off her claim to respect along with her garments.

Before a man dies, hold back and call him not happy but lucky.

One man envies the success in life of another, and hates him in secret; nor is he willing to give him good advice when he is consulted, except it be by some wonderful effort of good feeling, and there are, alas, few such men in the world. A real friend, on the other hand, exults in his friend?s happiness, rejoices in all his joys, and is ready to afford him the best advice.