It was the wont of the immortal gods sometimes to grant prosperity and long impunity to men whose crimes they were minded to punish in order that a complete reverse of fortune might make them suffer more bitterly.
Men willingly believe what they wish.
Which death is preferably to every other? 'The unexpected'.
I have lived long enough to satisfy both nature and glory.
What we wish, we readily believe, and what we ourselves think, we imagine others think also.
I have always reckoned the dignity of the republic of first importance and preferable to life.
