No reliance can be placed on the friendship of kings, nor vain hope put in the melodious voice of boys; for that passes away like a vision, and this vanishes like a dream.

If a piece of worthless stone can bruise a cup of gold, its worth is not increased, nor that of the gold diminished.

Court the society of a superior, and make much of the opportunity; for in the company of an equal thy good fortune must decline.

If thou covetest riches, ask not but for contentment, which is an immense treasure.

To pardon the oppressor is to deal harshly with the oppressed.

A dog will never forget the crumb thou gavest him, though thou mayst afterwards throw a hundred stones at his head.

When thou seest thine enemy in trouble, curl not thy whiskers in contempt; for in every bone there is marrow, and within every jacket there is a man.