“The period of a [Persian] boy’s education is between the ages of five and twenty, and he is taught three things only: to ride, to use the bow, and to speak the truth.”

Great things are won by great dangers.

Far better it is to have a stout heart always and suffer one’s share of evils, than to be ever fearing what may happen.

Before a man dies, hold back and call him not happy but lucky.

Good masters generally have bad slaves, and bad slaves have good masters.

Adversity has the effect of drawing out strength and qualities of a man that would have laid dormant in its absence.

Where even a falsehood must be told, let it be told.

I am bound to tell what I am told, but not in every case to believe it.

Great deeds are usually wrought at great risks.

Whatever comes from God is impossible for a man to turn back.

The man of affluence is not in fact more happy than the possessor of a bare competency, unless, in addition to his wealth, the end of his life be fortunate. We often see misery dwelling in the midst of splendour, whilst real happiness is found in humbler stations.

As the old saw says well: every end does not appear together with its beginning. It’s impossible for someone who is human to have all good things together, just as there is no single country able to provide all good things for itself.

Chances rule men and not men chances.

How can a monarchy be a suitable thing, which allows a man to do as he pleases with none to hold him to account. And even if you were to take the best man on earth, and put him into a monarchy, you put outside him the thoughts that usually guide him.

All men’s gains are the fruit of venturing.

Force has no place where there is need of skill.

When life is so burdensome death has become a sought after refuge.

One can’t feel old in a day or overnight!

I have worked really hard since the age of eight, so each phase of my life is equally important.

If you’re old, don’t try to change yourself, change your environment.

Old age is rather like another country. You will enjoy it more if you have prepared yourself before you go.

I don’t want to know I’m getting older. Then I’ll start to think about getting checkups and insurance. I don’t want that.

Language was invented to ask questions. Answers may be given by grunts and gestures, but questions must be spoken. Humanness came of age when man asked the first question.

Once you hit 40, you start reexamining the math of it all. I’ll trade wisdom for youth any day.

Once you hit 40, you start reexamining the math of it all. I’ll trade wisdom for youth any day.