The wish to acquire is in truth very natural and common, and men always do so when they can.but when they cannot do so, yet wish to do so by any means, then there is folly and blame.

Only those means of security are good, are certain, are lasting, that depend on yourself and your own vigor.

There are three kinds of minds: first those that attain insight and understanding of things by their own means, then those that recognize what is right when others explain it to them, and finally those that are capable of neither one nor the other.

Impetuosity and audacity often achieve what ordinary means fail to achieve.