Even wisdom has to yield to self-interest.

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

Even success softens not the heart of the envious.

O my soul, do not aspire to immortal life, but exhaust the limits of the possible.

Finding that the middle condition of life is by far the happiest, I look with little favor upon that of princes.

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

Even wisdom has to yield to self-interest.