It is only the surprise and newness of the thing which makes that misfortune terrible which by premeditation might be made easy to us. For that which some people make light by sufferance, others do by foresight.
Do what you should, not what you may.
Genius always gives its best at first; prudence, at last.
The mind makes the nobleman, and uplifts the lowly to high degree.
See how many are better off than you are, but consider how many are worse.
That which is given with pride and ostentation is rather an ambition than a bounty.