But at power or wealth, for the sake of which wars, and all kinds of strife, arise among mankind, we do not aim; we desire only our liberty, which no honorable man relinquishes but with his life.

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

Do as much as possible, and talk of yourself as little as possible

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

Souls are punished when they have gone forth from the body, some wandering among us, some going to hot or cold places of the earth, some harassed by spirits. Under all circumstances they suffer with the irrational part of their nature, with which they also sinned. For its sake there subsists that shadowy body which is seen about graves, especially the graves of evil livers.

But the case has proved that to be true which Appius says in his songs, that each man is the maker of his own fate.

Among intellectual pursuits, one of the most useful is the recording of past events.