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

Each man the architect of his own fate.

By union the smallest states thrive. By discord the greatest are destroyed.

Those most moved to tears by every word of a preacher are generally weak and a rascal when the feelings evaporate.

It is not only spirits who punish the evil, the soul brings itself to judgment: and also it is not right for those who endure for ever to attain everything in a short time: and also, there is need of human virtue. If punishment followed instantly upon sin, men would act justly from fear and have no virtue.

To hope for safety in flight, when you have turned away from the enemy the arms by which the body is defended, is indeed madness. In battle those who are most afraid are always in most danger; but courage is equivalent to rampart.

By the wicked the good conduct of others is always dreaded.