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

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

If our inward griefs were written on our brows, how many who are envied now would be pitied. It would seem that they had their deadliest foe in their own breast, and their whole happiness would be reduced to mere seeming.

Fortune is the best school of courage when she is fraught with anger, in the same way as winds and tempests are the school of the sailorboy.

It is the just decree of Heaven that a traitor never sees his danger till his ruin is at hand.

Of all faults the greatest is the excess of impious terror, dishonoring divine grace. He who despairs wants love, wants faith; for faith, hope, and love are three torches which blend their light together, nor does the one shine without the other.

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?