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

A good man would prefer to be defeated than to defeat injustice by evil means.

In my opinion, he only may be truly said to live and enjoy his being who is engaged in some laudable pursuit, and acquires a name by some illustrious action, or useful art.

To like and dislike the same things that is indeed true friendship.

That power of the Gods which orders for the good things which are not uniform, and which happen contrary to expectation, is commonly called Fortune, and it is for this reason that the Goddess is especially worshipped in public by cities; for every city consists of elements which are not uniform.

It is impossible that there should be so much providence in the last details, and none in the first principles. Then the arts of prophecy and of healing, which are part of the cosmos, come of the good providence of the Gods.

Neither soldiers nor money can defend a king but only friends won by good deeds, merit, and honesty.