Nature without learning is blind, learning apart from nature is fractional, and practice in the absence of both is aimless.

For it was not so much that by means of words I came to a complete understanding of things, as that from things I somehow had an experience which enabled me to follow the meaning of words.

In human life there is constant change of fortune; and it is unreasonable to expect an exemption from the common fate. Life itself decays, and all things are daily changing.

The state of life is most happy where superfluities are not required and necessities are not wanting.

The superstitious man wishes he did not believe in gods, as the atheist does not, but fears to disbelieve in them.

Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly.

A Roman divorced from his wife, being highly blamed by his friends, who demanded, "Was she not chaste? Was she not fair? Was she not fruitful?" holding out his shoe, asked them whether it was not new and well made. "Yet," added he, "none of you can tell where it pinches me.''