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To someone seeking power, the poorest man is the most useful.

Sallust

As the blessings of health and fortune have a beginning, so they must also find an end. Everything rises but to fall, and increases but to decay.
SALLUST

Beginning Blessing Decay Fortune Health
Since we have received everything from the Gods, and it is right to pay the giver some tithe of his gifts, we pay such a tithe of possessions in votive offering, of bodies in gifts of (hair and) adornment, and of life in sacrifices.
SALLUST

Body Gift God Pay Possession Received Sacrifice
But assuredly Fortune rules in all things; she raised to eminence or buries in oblivion everything from caprice rather than from well-regulated principle.
SALLUST

Assurance Bury Fate Fortune Principle Raise Rule
He that will be angry for anything will be angry for nothing.
SALLUST

Angry Deep Emotion Feeling Himself
It is better to use fair means and fail, than foul and conquer.
SALLUST

Better Conquer Failure Right Rule Win
Fame is the shadow of passion standing in the light.
SALLUST

Fame Light Passion Shadow Stand
To have the same desires and the same aversion is assuredly a firm bond of friendship.
SALLUST

Bond Desire Friendship
The firmest friendship is based on an identity of likes and dislikes.
SALLUST

Friendship Identity Nature
The Romans assisted their allies and friends, and acquired friendships by giving rather than receiving kindness.
SALLUST

Assistance Friendship Kindness Receive Roman
In my opinion it is less shameful for a king to be overcome by force of arms than by bribery.
SALLUST

Arms Bribe Force Opinion Shame
By union the smallest states thrive. By discord the greatest are destroyed.
SALLUST

Destroy Greatness Small State Thrive
The renown which riches or beauty confer is fleeting and frail mental excellence is a splendid and lasting possession.
SALLUST

Beautiful Excellence Mental Possession Rich
The fame that goes with wealth and beauty is fleeting and fragile; intellectual superiority is a possession glorious and eternal.
SALLUST

Beautiful Fame Forever Glory Intellectual Possession Wealth
The poorest of men are the most useful to those seeking power.
SALLUST

Man Poor Power Seek Useful
Ambition breaks the ties of blood, and forgets the obligations of gratitude.
SALLUST

Ambition Blood Bond Break Forget Gratitude Obligation
Before you act consider; when you have considered, tis fully time to act.
SALLUST

Act Action Consider Time Yourself

To someone seeking power, the poorest man is the most useful.

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To someone seeking power, the poorest man is the most useful.

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