Among intellectual pursuits, one of the most useful is the recording of past events.

But the case has proved that to be true which Appius says in his songs, that each man is the maker of his own fate.

Deliberate before you begin; but, having carefully done so, execute with vigour.

Everything that rises sets, and everything that grows, grows old.

To someone seeking power, the poorest man is the most useful.

One may call the world a myth , in which bodies and things are visible, but souls and minds hidden. Besides, to wish to teach the whole truth about the Gods to all produces contempt in the foolish, because they cannot understand, and lack of zeal in the good, whereas to conceal the truth by myths prevents the contempt of the foolish, and compels the good to practice philosophy.

All men who would surpass the other animals should do their best not to pass through life silently like the beasts whom nature made prone, obedient to their bellies.