Prosperity asks for fidelity; adversity exacts it.

Dissembling profiteth nothing; a feigned countenance, and slightly forged externally, deceiveth but very few.

Unjust rule does not last forever.

A single lifetime, even though entirely devoted to the sky, would not be enough for the study of so vast a subject. A time will come when our descendants will be amazed that we did not know things that are so plain to them.

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.

How much better to pursue a straight course and eventually reach that destination where the things that are pleasant are the things that are honorable finally become, for you, the same.

Fire tests gold, suffering tests brave men.