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.''

The most glorious exploits do not always furnish us with the clearest discoveries of virtue or vice in men.

Whenever anything is spoken against you that is not true, do not pass by or despise it because it is false; but forthwith examine yourself, and consider what you have said or done that may administer a just occasion of reproof.

Nature and wisdom never are at strife.

We ought not to treat living creatures like shoes or household belongings, which when worn with use we throw away.

Custom is almost a second nature.

A friend should be like money, tried before being required, not found faulty in our need.