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

When the strong box contains no more both friends and flatterers shun the door.

Rome was in the most dangerous inclination to change on account of the unequal distribution of wealth and property, those of highest rank and greatest spirit having impoverished themselves by shows, entertainments, ambition of offices, and sumptuous buildings, and the riches of the city having thus fallen into the hands of mean and low-born persons. So that there wanted but a slight impetus to set all in motion, it being in the power of every daring man to overturn a sickly commonwealth.

Fortune had favoured me in this war that I feared, the rather, that some tempest would follow so favourable a gale.

It is the admirer of himself, and not the admirer of virtue, that thinks himself superior to others.

To do an evil action is base; to do a good action without incurring danger is common enough; but it is the part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risks every thing.

For he who gives no fuel to fire puts it out, and likewise he who does not in the beginning nurse his wrath and does not puff himself up with anger takes precautions against it and destroys it.