Natural ability is by far the best, but many men have succeeded in winning high renown by skill that is the fruit of teaching.

Forge thy tongue on an anvil of truth and what flies up, though it be but a spark, will have light.

May God grant me love for that which has splendor; but in this time of my life let me strive for attainable things.

Creatures of a day, what is any one? What is he not? Man is but a dream of a shadow. Yet when there comes as a gift of heaven a gleam of sunshine, there rest upon men a radiant light and, aye, a gentle life.

Envy, the attendant of the empty mind.

The present will not long endure.

Men are the dreams of a shadow.