An ancient father says that a dog we know is better company than a man whose language we do not understand.

Report followeth not all goodness, except difficulty and rarity be joined thereto.

We must learn to endure what we cannot avoid. Our life is composed, like the harmony of the world, of contrary things, also of different tones, sweet and harsh, sharp and flat, soft and loud. If a musician liked only one kind, what would he have to say?

Whether the events in our life are good or bad, greatly depends on the way we perceive them.

Friendship is the highest degree of perfection in society.

Water, earth, air, fire, and the other parts of this structure of mine are no more instruments of your life than instruments of your death. Why do you fear your last day? It contributes no more to your death than each of the others. The last step does not cause the fatigue, but reveals it. All days travel toward death, the last one reaches it.

Silence and modesty are very valuable qualities in conversation.