Courage and wisdom are, indeed, rarities amongst men, but of all that is good, a just man it would seem is the most scarce.

The flatterer's object is to please in everything he does; whereas the true friend always does what is right, and so often gives pleasure, often pain, not wishing the latter, but not shunning it either, if he deems it best.

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

The giving of riches and honors to a wicked man is like giving strong wine to him that hath a fever.

The present offers itself to our touch for only an instant of time and then eludes the senses.

Let a prince be guarded with soldiers, attended by councillors, and shut up in forts; yet if his thoughts disturb him, he is miserable.

To fail to do good is as bad as doing harm.