When the candles are out all women are fair.
Plutarch Quotes
It is indeed a desirable thing to be well descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors.
Like the man who threw a stone at a bitch, but hit his stepmother, on which he exclaimed, “Not so bad!”
When Anaxagoras was told of the death of his son, he only said, “I knew he was mortal.” So we in all casualties of life should say, I knew my riches were uncertain; that my friend was but a man. Such consideration would soon pacify us, because all our troubles proceed from their being unexpected.
Nor is it always in the most distinguished achievements that men’s virtues or vices may be best discovered; but very often an action of small note, a short saying, or a jest, shall distinguish a person’s real character more than the greatest sieges, or the most important battle.
