All men do not admire and delight in the same objects.
He that finds out he’s changed his lot for worse, Let him betimes the untoward choice reverse: For still, when all is said, the rule stands fast, That each man’s shoe be made on his own last.
An envious man grows lean at another’s fatness.
You will have written exceptionally well if, by skilful arrangement of your words, you have made an ordinary one seem original.
Who then is free? The wise who can command his passions, who fears not want, nor death, nor chains, firmly resisting his appetites and despising the honors of the world, who relies wholly on himself, whose angular points of character have all been rounded off and polished.
Friends fly away when the cask has been drained to the dregs.
Get money; by just means. if you can; if not, still get money.
What does not wasting time change! The age of our parents, worse than that of our grandsires, has brought us forth more impious still, and we shall produce a more vicious progeny.
The common people are but ill judges of a man’s merits; they are slaves to fame, and their eyes are dazzled with the pomp of titles and large retinue. No wonder, then, that they bestow their honors on those who least deserve them.
Wise were the kings who never chose a friend till with full cups they had unmasked his soul, and seen the bottom of his deepest thoughts.
Busy not yourself in looking forward to the events of to-morrow; but whatever may be those of the days Providence may yet assign you neglect not to turn them to advantage.
Let the character as it began be preserved to the last; and let it be consistent with itself.
Increasing wealth is attended by care and by the desire of greater increase.
Everything, virtue, glory, honor, things human and divine, all are slaves to riches.
Ridicule is often employed with more power and success than severity.
Shun to seek what is hid in the womb of the morrow, and set down as gain in life’s ledger whatever time fate shall have granted thee.
God can change the lowest to the highest, abase the proud, and raise the humble.
Live mindful of how brief your life is.
Better to accept whatever happens.
It is sweet and right to die for the homeland, but it is sweeter to live for the homeland, and the sweetest to drink for it. Therefore, let us drink to the health of the homeland.