Occasionally words must serve to veil the facts. But let this happen in such a way that no one become aware of it; or, if it should be noticed, excuses must be at hand to be produced immediately.

Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.

It is a common failing of man not to take account of tempests during fair weather.

...it behooves us to adapt oneself to the times if one wants to enjoy continued good fortune.

He who is the cause of another's advancement is thereby the cause of his own ruin.

How we live is so different from how we ought to live that he who studies what ought to be done rather than what is done will learn the way to his downfall rather than to his preservation.

If the course of human affairs be considered, it will be seen that many things arise against which heaven does not allow us to guard.