Demosthenes: “He wishes for empire: he believes you to be his only opponents.”

Choose which ye think expedient; and put hands to the work, while it is yet time.

So report says, and I can well believe it; for undeserved success leads weak-minded men into folly; and thus it appears often, that to maintain prosperity is harder than to acquire it.

So in political affairs, they who misuse their opportunities forget even the good which the gods send them; for every prior event is judged commonly by the last result.

If a man keep what he gets, he is thankful to fortune; if he lose it by imprudence, he loses withal his memory of the obligation.