All I desire is, that my poverty may not be a burden to myself, or make me so to others; and that is the best state of fortune that is neither directly necessitous nor far from it. A mediocrity of fortune, with gentleness of mind, will preserve us from fear or envy; which is a desirable condition; for no man wants power to do mischief.

Gold is tried by fire, brave men by adversity.

We have been born under a monarchy; to obey God is freedom.

The proper amount of wealth is that which neither descends to poverty nor is far distant from it.

Behold a worthy sight, to which the God, turning his attention to his own work, may direct his gaze. Behold an equal thing, worthy of a God, a brave man matched in conflict with evil fortune.

He that does good to another does good also to himself, not only in the consequence but in the very act. For the consciousness of well-doing is in itself ample reward.

Sadness usually results from one of the following causes either when a man does not succeed, or is ashamed of his success.