That sorrow which is the harbinger of joy is preferable to the joy which is followed by sorrow.

Avoid that which an enemy tells you to do; for if you follow his advice, you will smite your, knees with the hand of sorrow. If he shows you a road straight as an arrow, turn from it and go the other way.

Riches are intended for the comfort of life, and not life for the purpose of hoarding riches.

Every leaf of the tree becomes a page of the book, once the heart is opened and it has learnt to read.

That knave preserves the pearl in his purse who considers all people purse-cuts.

The bad fortune of the good turns their faces up to heaven; the good fortune of the bad bows their heads down to the earth.

When a mean wretch cannot vie with another in virtue, out of his wickedness he begins to slander. The abject envious wretch will slander the virtuous man when absent, but when brought face to face his loquacious tongue becomes dumb.