The Gods being good and making all things, there is no positive evil, it only comes by absence of good; just as darkness itself does not exist, but only comes about by absence of light.
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.
The glory of riches and of beauty is frail and transitory; virtue remains bright and eternal.
[Lat., Divitarum et formae gloria fluxa atque fragilis; virtus clara aeternaque habetur.]