The new king [Alexander the Great] should perform acts so important and glorious as would make the poets and musicians of future ages labour and sweat to describe and celebrate him.

For, in the language of Heraclitus, the virtuous soul is pure and unmixed light, springing from the body as a flash of lightning darts from the cloud. But the soul that is carnal and immersed in sense, like a heavy and dank vapor, can with difficulty be kindled, and caused to raise its eyes heavenward.

Nothing is cheap which is superfluous, for what one does not need, is dear at a penny.

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

Evidence of trust begets trust, and love is reciprocated by love.

As bees extract honey from thyme, the strongest and driest of herbs, so sensible men often get advantage and profit from the most awkward circumstances.

The usual disease of princes, grasping covetousness, had made them suspicious and quarrelsome neighbors.