Those whom fortune has never favored are more joyful than those whom she has deserted.

Man's ideal state is realized when he has fulfilled the purpose for which he is born. And what is it that reason demands of him? Something very easy-that he live in accordance with his own nature.

Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.

There is nothing more despicable than an old man who has no other proof than his age to offer of his having lived long in the world.

Epicurus says, "gratitude is a virtue that has commonly profit annexed to it." And where is the virtue that has not? But still the virtue is to be valued for itself, and not for the profit that attends it.

No man esteems anything that comes to him by chance; but when it is governed by reason, it brings credit both to the giver and receiver; whereas those favors are in some sort scandalous that make a man ashamed of his patron.

An age builds up cities: an hour destroys them.