Be generous, and pleasant-tempered, and forgiving; even as God scatter favors over thee, do thou scatter over the people.

When the belly is empty, the body becomes spirit; and when it is full, the spirit becomes body.

It is wrong to follow the advice of an adversary; nevertheless it is right to hear it, that you may do the contrary; and this is the essence of good policy.

Independence is of more value than any gifts; and to receive gifts is to lose it.

The best loved by God are those that are rich, yet have the humility of the poor, and those that are poor and have the magnanimity of the rich.

Expose not the secret failings of mankind, otherwise you must verily bring scandal upon them and distrust upon yourself.

Tell no one the secret that you want to keep, although he may be worthy of confidence; for no one will be so careful of your secret as yourself.