A life at odds with Fortune resembles a wintry torrent; for it is turbulent and muddy and difficult to pass, and violent and noisy and brief. A soul conversant with virtue resembles a perpetual fountain; for it is clear and gentle and agreeable and sweet and serviceable and rich and harmless and innocent. If you would be good, first believe that you are bad. It is better sometimes frankly to offend, and act often wisely, than to say we seldom err and offend frequently. Chastise your passions, that they may not chastise you. Be not so much ashamed of what is inglorious, as studious to shun what is untruthful.