Ambition drove many men to become false; to have one thought locked in the breast, another ready on the tongue.

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

As the blessings of health and fortune have a beginning, so they must also find an end. Everything rises but to fall, and increases but to decay.

For men who had easily endured hardship, danger and difficult uncertainty, leisure and riches, though in some ways desirable, proved burdensome and a source of grief.

Neither the army nor the treasury, but friends, are the true supports of the throne; for friends cannot be collected by force of arms, nor purchased with money; they are the offspring of kindness and sincerity.

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

The renown which riches or beauty confer is fleeting and frail mental excellence is a splendid and lasting possession.