All enterprises that are entered into with indiscreet zeal may be pursued with great vigor at first, but are sure to collapse in the end.
We see many who are struggling against adversity who are happy, and more although abounding in wealth, who are wretched.
Old things are always in good repute, present things in disfavor.
He had a certain frankness and generosity qualities indeed which turn to a mans ruin unless tempered with discretion.
He that fights and runs away, May turn and fight another day; But he that is in battle slain, Will never rise to fight again.
Noble character is best appreciated in those ages in which it can most readily develop.
Love of fame is the last thing even learned men can bear to be parted from.
The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.
I am my nearest neighbour.
No hatred is so bitter as that of near relations.
Things forbidden have a secret charm.
A bad peace is even worse than war.
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.
To show resentment at a reproach is to acknowledge that one may have deserved it.
To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire; and where they make a wilderness, they call it peace.
No one would have doubted his ability to reign had he never been emperor.
Candor and generosity, unless tempered by due moderation, leads to ruin.
Be assured those will be thy worst enemies, not to whom thou hast done evil, but who have done evil to thee. And those will be thy best friends, not to whom thou hast done good, but who have done good to thee.
Victor and vanquished never unite in substantial agreement.
Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay; falsehood by haste and uncertainty.
Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth; when perfect sincerity is expected, perfect freedom must be allowed; nor has anyone who is apt to be angry when he hears the truth any cause to wonder that he does not hear it.
When men are full of envy they disparage everything, whether it be good or bad.
All things atrocious and shameless flock from all parts to Rome.
Abuse if you slight it, will gradually die away; but if you show yourself irritated, you will be thought to have deserved it.
When the state is most corrupt, then the laws are most multiplied.
Those in supreme power always suspect and hate their next heir.
It is always easier to requite an injury than a service: gratitude is a burden, but revenge is found to pay.
Keen at the start but careless at the end.
Prosperity is the measure or touchstone of virtue, for it is less difficult to bear misfortune than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure.
It is human nature to hate the man whom you have hurt.
Many who seem to be struggling with adversity are happy; many, amid great affluence, are utterly miserable.
Greater things are believed of those who are absent.
A desire to resist oppression is implanted in the nature of man.
Custom adapts itself to expediency.
Valor is of no service, chance rules all, and the bravest often fall by the hands of cowards.
When a woman has lost her chastity she will shrink from nothing.
That cannot be safe which is not honourable.
There can never be a complete confidence in a power which is excessive.
It is less difficult to bear misfortunes than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure.
In a state where corruption abounds, laws must be very numerous.
Reason and judgment are the qualities of a leader.
It belongs to human nature to hate those you have injured.
It is the rare fortuene of these days that one may think what one likes and say what one thinks.
A shocking crime was committed on the unscrupulous initiative of few individuals, with the blessing of more, and amid the passive acquiescence of all.
