Your mind, I say, may possibly be more disposed to conquest than peace.

I know the spirits of your country aim rather at great than useful objects.

On me, too, a similar fortune once shone.

But if with prosperity the gods would also bestow upon us sound judgment, we should not only consider those things which have happened, but those also which may occur.

Even if you should forget all others, I am myself a sufficient instance of every vicissitude of fortune.