Good fortune will elevate even petty minds, and gives them the appearance of a certain greatness and stateliness, as from their high place they look … - Plutarch

There is nothing so imperfect, so helpless, so naked, so shapeless, so foul, as man observed at birth, to whom alone, one might almost say, Nature has given not a clean passage to the light; but, defiled with blood and covered with filth, and resembling more one just slain than one just born, he is an object for none to touch or lift up or kiss or embrace except for someone who loves with a natural affection.

Thus ambitious spirits in a commonwealth, when they transgress their bounds, are apt to do more harm than good.

Themistocles being asked whether he would rather be Achilles or Homer, said, "Which would you rather be,—a conqueror in the Olympic games, or the crier that proclaims who are conquerors?"