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.

Egypt is the gift of the Nile.

Very few things happen at the right time, and the rest do not happen at all. The conscientious historian will correct these defects.

When a woman removes her garment, she also removes the respect that is hers.

The worst pain a man can have is to know much and be impotent to act.

Where wisdom is called for, force is of little use.

The Colchians, Ethiopians and Egyptians have thick lips, broad nose, woolly hair and they are burnt of skin.