The eye that gazes upon the sun sees not the orb it looks upon, confounded by the excess of its brightness.

If the internal griefs of every man could be read, written on his forehead, how many who now excite envy would appear to be the objects of pity?

Though the Indian ocean abounds in rich and rare gems, it does not boast a clearer sky nor more unruffled sea. If there be a shore that dreads not the fury of the faithless billows, it is some poor and narrow inlet unknown to the winds.

High birth is an accident, not a virtue.

If our inward griefs were seen written on our brow, how many would be pitied who are now envied! [It., Se a ciascun l'interno affanno Si leggesse in fronte scritto, Quanti mai, che invidia fanno, Ci farebbero pieta!].

Prepare thy soul calmly to obey; such offering will be more acceptable to God than every other sacrifice.

An old warrior is never in haste to strike the blow.