When the supreme violence of a furious wind upon the sea sweeps over the waters the chief admiral of a fleet along with his mighty legions, does he not crave the gods' peace with vows and in his panic seek with prayers the peace of the winds and favouring breezes. Nonetheless, he is caught up in the furious hurricane and driven upon the shoals of death.

...if one thing frightens people, it is that so much happens, on earth and out in space, the reasons for which seem somehow to escape them, and they fill in the gap by putting it down to the gods.

Such evil deeds could religion prompt.

The body searches for that which has injured the mind with love.

There is nothing that exists so great or marvelous that over time mankind does not admire it less and less.

So, little by little, time brings out each several thing into view, and reason raises it up into the shores of light.

From the very fountain of enchantment there arises a taste of bitterness to spread anguish amongst the flowers.