“After I’m dead I’d rather have people ask why I have no monument than why I have one.”

It is a difficult matter to argue with the belly since it has no ears.

Between the mouth and the morsel many things may happen.

Patience is the greatest of all virtues.

Women want total freedom or rather – to call things by their names – total licence. If you allow them to achieve complete equality with men, do you think they will be easier to live with?

A flourishing country should show its prosperity. “When you go in, look about, so that, when needs be, you can find your way out.

If you are ruled by mind you are a king; if by body, a slave.

Suffer women once to arrive at an equality with you, and they will from that moment become your superiors.

An angry man opens his mouth and shuts his eyes.

Be firm or mild as the occasion may require.

When you have decided to purchase a farm, be careful not to buy rashly; do not spare your visits and be not content with a single tour of inspection.

Moreover, I consider that Carthage should be destroyed.

There is a wide difference between true courage and a mere contempt of life.

The public has more interest in the punishment of an injury than he who receives it.

He who fears death has already lost the life he covets.

Woman is a violent and uncontrolled animal, and it is useless to let go the reins and then expect her not to kick over the traces.

Speech is the gift of all, but the thought of few.