I tread in the footsteps of illustrious men . . . in receiving
from the people the sacred trust read more

I tread in the footsteps of illustrious men . . . in receiving
from the people the sacred trust confided to my illustrious
predecessor.

Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color. Choosing your socks by their character makes no read more

Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color. Choosing your socks by their character makes no sense, and choosing your friends by their color is unthinkable.

Men think they may justly do that for which they have a
precedent.
[Lat., Quod exemplo fit, id read more

Men think they may justly do that for which they have a
precedent.
[Lat., Quod exemplo fit, id etiam jure fieri putant.]

Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others;
it is the only means.

Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others;
it is the only means.

He who should teach men to die, would at the same time teach them
to live.

He who should teach men to die, would at the same time teach them
to live.

Example has more followers than reason. We unconsciously imitate what pleases us, and approximate to the characters we most admire.

Example has more followers than reason. We unconsciously imitate what pleases us, and approximate to the characters we most admire.

Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good
example.

Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good
example.

Happy thou that learnest from another's griefs, not to subject
thyself to the same.
[Lat., Felix quicumque dolore read more

Happy thou that learnest from another's griefs, not to subject
thyself to the same.
[Lat., Felix quicumque dolore alterius disces posse cavere tuo.]

The people are fashioned according to the example of their kings;
and edicts are of less power than the read more

The people are fashioned according to the example of their kings;
and edicts are of less power than the life of their ruler.
[Lat., Componitur orbis
Regis ad exemplum; nec sic inflectere sensus
Humanos edicta valent, quam vita regentis.]