“We heed no instincts but our own.”

A bluejay in peacock feathers.

Neither wealth or greatness render us happy.

Tis thus we heed no instincts but our own, Believe no evil, till the evil’s done.

Rare as is true love, true friendship is rarer.

Friendship is the shadow of the evening, which increases with the setting sun of life.

He is very foolish who aims at satisfying all the world and his father.

In this world we must help one another.

I bend but do not break.

A hungry stomach cannot hear.

Lynx-eyes toward our equals, and moles to ourselves.

Alas! we see that the small have always suffered for the follies of the great.

Anyone entrusted with power will abuse it if not also animated with the love of truth and virtue, no matter whether he be a prince, or one of the people.

Death never takes the wise man by surprise, he is always ready to go.

In short, luck’s always to blame.

The ruins of a house may be repaired; why cannot those of the face?

Our condition never satisfies us; the present is always the worst. Though Jupiter should grant his request to each, we should continue to importune him.