Never inquire into another man's secret; bur conceal that which is intrusted to you, though pressed both be wine and anger to reveal it.

I prayed only for a small piece of land, a garden, an ever-flowing spring, and bit of woods.

The aim of the poet is to inform or delight, or to combine together, in what he says, both pleasure and applicability to life. In instructing, be brief in what you say in order that your readers may grasp it quickly and retain it faithfully. Superfluous words simply spill out when the mind is already full. Fiction invented in order to please should remain close to reality.

Mix a little foolishness with your serious plans. It is lovely to be silly at the right moment.

The more a man denies himself, the more shall he obtain from God.

The miser acquires, yet fears to use his gains.

While we're talking, envious time is fleeing: pluck the day, put no trust in the future