Mortals grow swiftly in misfortune.

Never make a companion equal to a brother.

Admire a small ship, but put your freight in a large one; for the larger the load, the greater will be the profit upon profit.

Potter is potter's enemy, and craftsman is craftsman's rival; tramp is jealous of tramp, and singer of singer.

Do not let any sweet-talking woman beguile your good sense with the fascinations of her shape. It's your barn she's after.

Badness you can get easily, in quantity. The road is smooth and lies close by. But in front of excellence the immortal gods have put sweat, and long and steep is the way to do it, and rough at first. But when you come to the top, then it is easy, even though it is hard.

Gossip and rumor are evil; easy to lift up, heavy to carry, and hard to put down again.