To many men much-wandering hope comes as a boon, but to many others it is the deception of vain desires.
Each say following another, either hastening or putting off our death – what pleasure does it bring? I count that man worthless whois cheered by empty hopes. No, a noble man must either live or die well.
Sleep, ignorant of pain, sleep, ignorant of grief, may you come to us blowing softly, kindly, kindly come king.
Wisdom is the most important part of happiness.
Is anyone in all the world safe from unhappiness?
What fate can be worse than to know we have no one but ourselves to blame for our misfortunes!
Count no mortal fortunate till he has departed this life free from pain.
Wealth makes an ugly person beautiful to look on and an incoherent speech eloquent; and wealth alone can enjoy pleasure even in sickness and can conceal its miseries.
The joy that comes past hope and beyond expectation is like no other pleasure in extent.
Not to be born surpasses all reckoning. The next best thing by far, when one has been born is to go back as swiftly as possible whence one came.
Stubbornness and stupidity are twins.
It is no weakness for the wisest man to learn when he is wrong.
What greater ornament to a son than a father’s glory, or to a father than a son’s honorable conduct?
Oh death, death, why do you never come to me thus summoned always day by day?
A broad-backed ox can be driven straight on his road even by a small goad.
Even from the first it is meek to seek the impossible.
False words do not bring forth fruit.
Trouble brings trouble upon trouble.
But the power of destiny is something awesome; neither wealth, nor Ares, nor a tower, nor dark-hulled ships might escape it.
One thinking it is right to speak all things, whether the word is fit for speech or unutterable.