Guard yourself against accusations, even if they are false; for the multitude are ignorant of the truth and look only to reputation.

Make no man your friend before inquiring how he has used his former friends; for you must expect him to treat you as he has treated them. Be slow to give your friendship, but when you have given it, strive to make it lasting; for it is as reprehensible to make many changes in one's associates as to have no friends at all. Neither test your friends to your own injury nor be willing to forego a test of your companions.

Be gracious to all men, but choose the best to be your friends.

Guard yourself against accusations, even if they are false; for the multitude are ignorant of the truth and look only to reputation.

But I marvel when I observe these men setting themselves up as instructors of youth who cannot see that they are applying the analogy of an art with hard and fast rules to a creative process

Regard as your most faithful friends, not those who praise everything you say or do, but those who criticize your mistakes.

Oratory is good only if it has the qualities of fitness for the occasion, propriety of style, and originality of treatment, while in the case of letters there is no such need whatsoever.