“When did reason ever direct our desires or our fears?”

A lucky man is rarer than a white crow.

Is it a simple form of madness to lose a hundred thousand sesterces, and not have a shirt to give to a shivering slave?

Where talent is lacking, anger writes poetry.

This precept descended from Heaven: know thyself.

Vice can deceive under the guise and shadow of virtue.

Every great house is full of haughty servants.

Many commit the same crime with a very different result. One bears a cross for his crime; another a crown.

The love of money grows as the money itself grows.

Some men make fortunes, but not to enjoy them for, blinded by avarice, they live to make fortunes.

Luxury is more deadly than any foe.

No one rejoices more in revenge than woman.

There is nothing worse than words of kindness that lie.

Who will watch the watchers?

Give up all hope of peace so long as your mother-in-law is alive.

It is not easy for men to rise whose qualities are thwarted by poverty.

Dare to do things worthy of imprisonment if you mean to be of consequence.