Fire tests gold, suffering tests brave men.

No man is more unhappy than he who never faces adversity. For he is not permitted to prove himself.

There is no evil that does not offer inducements. Vices tempt you by the rewards which they offer.

It's the great soul that surrenders itself to fate, but a puny degenerate thing that struggles.

We are at best but stewards of what we falsely call our own; yet avarice is so insatiable that it is not in the power of liberality to content it.

There is none made so great, but he may both need the help and service, and stand in fear of the power and unkindness, even of the meanest of mortals.

You learn to know a pilot in a storm.