Get good counsel before you begin; and when you have decided, act promptly.

Fortune rules in all things, and advances and depresses things more out of her own will than right and justice.

It is the nature of ambition to make men liars and cheats, to hide the truth in their breasts, and show, like jugglers, another thing in their mouths, to cut all friendships and enmities to the measure of their own interest, and to make a good countenance without the help of good will.

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

But few prize honour more than money.

They envy the distinction I have won; let them therefore, envy my toils, my honesty, and the methods by which I gained it.

It is a law of human nature that in victory even the coward may boast of his prowess, while defeat injures the reputation even of the brave.