We employ the mind to rule, the body to serve.

Advise well before you begin, and when you have maturely considered, then act with promptitude.

Ambition breaks the ties of blood, and forgets the obligations of gratitude.

The Gods being good and making all things, there is no positive evil, it only comes by absence of good; just as darkness itself does not exist, but only comes about by absence of light.

It is always easy to begin a war, but very difficult to stop one.

The fame which is based on wealth or beauty is a frail and fleeting thing; but virtue shines for ages with undiminished lustre.

Sovereignty is easily preserved by the very arts by which it was originally created. When, however, energy has given place to indifference, and temperance and justice to passion and arrogance, then as the morals change so changes fortune.