For there is no virtue, the honour and credit for which procures a man more odium from the elite than that of justice; and this, because more than any other, it acquires a man power and authority among the common people. For they only honour the valiant and admire the wise, while in addition they also love just men, and put entire trust and confidence in them.

Authority and place demonstrate and try the tempers of men, by moving every passion and discovering every frailty.

Friendship requires a steady, constant, and unchangeable character, a person that is uniform in his intimacy.

Character is inured habit.

He who least likes courting favour, ought also least to think of resenting neglect; to feel wounded at being refused a distinction can only arise from an overweening appetite to have it.

I am all that hath been, and is, and shall be; and my veil no mortal has hitherto raised.

Cato requested old men not to add the disgrace of wickedness to old age, which was accompanied with many other evils.