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Of no mortal say, 'That man is happy,' till vexed by no grievous ill he pass Life's goal.
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When people fall in deep distress, their native sense departs.
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For whoever knows how to return a kindness he has received must be a friend above all price.
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For the dead there are no more toils.
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Strike at a great man, and you will not miss.
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When I have tried and failed, I shall have failed.
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To never have been born may be the greatest boon of all.
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None love the messenger who brings bad news.
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Quick decisions are unsafe decisions.
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Every wind is fare when we are flying from misfortune.
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Whoe'er imagines prudence all his own, Or deems that he hath powers to speak and judge Such as none other hath, when they are known, They are found shallow.
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Surely, to think your own the only wisdom, and yours the only word, the only will, betrays a shallow spirit, an empty heart.
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For kindness begets kindness evermore, But he from whose mind fades the memory Of benefits, noble is he no more.
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When ice appears out of doors, and boys seize it up while it is solid, at first they experience new pleasures. But in the end their pride will not agree to let it go, but their acquisition is not good for them if it stays in their hands. In the same way an identical desire drives lovers to act and not to act.
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All concerns of men go wrong when they wish to cure evil with evil.
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Shame brings no advantage in misfortunes, for silence (of the accused) is the ally of the speaker.
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Whoever has a keen eye for profits, is blind in relation to his craft.
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If we always helped one another, no one would need luck.
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You should not consider a man's age but his acts.
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Often have brief words laid men low and then raise them up.
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When an oath is taken ... the mind is more attentive; for it guards against two things, the reproach of friends and offence against the gods.
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You see how when rivers are swollen in winter those trees that yield to the flood retain their branches, but those that offer resistance perish, trunk and all.
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Love is like ice in the hands of children.
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Fortune never helps the fainthearted.