Great Throughts Treasury

"Is it not better to die in a glorious attempt, than, after having been the sport of other men's insolence, to resign a wretched and degraded existence with ignominy?"

"It becomes all men, Senators, who deliberate on dubious matters, to be influenced neither by hatred, affection, anger, nor pity."

"It is better to use fair means and fail, than foul and conquer."

"It is sweet to serve one's country by deeds, and it is not absurd to serve her by words."

"It is the nature of ambition to make men liars and cheats, to hide the truth in their breasts, and show, like jugglers, another thing in their mouths, to cut all friendships and enmities to the measure of their own interest, and to make a good countenance without the help of good will."

"Men have no right to complain that they are naturally feeble and short-lived, or that it is chance and not merit that decides their destiny. . . . What guides and controls human life is man's soul. . . . If men pursued good things with the same ardor with which they seek what is unedifying and unprofitable--often, indeed, actually dangerous and pernicious--they would control events instead of being controlled by them, and would rise to such heights of greatness and glory that their mortality would put on immortality."

"Now these things never happened, but always are."

"Only a few prefer liberty, the majority seek nothing more than fair masters."

"The memory of what others have accomplished kindles in the breasts of noble men a flame that is not quenched until their own prowess has won similar glory and renown. In these degenerate days, however, one cannot find a man who does not seek to rival his ancestors in wealth and extravagance, instead of uprightness and industry."

"To have the same desires and the same aversion is assuredly a firm bond of friendship."

"Watching, working and meditating all things thrive."

"It becomes all men, who desire to excel other animals, to strive, to the utmost of their power, not to pass through life in obscurity, like the beasts of the field, which nature has formed groveling and subservient to appetite."

"With Carthaginian trustworthiness [treachery]."

"Yet many human beings, resigned to sensuality and indolence, un-instructed and unimproved, have passed through life like travelers in a strange country."