Hesiod

Acquisition means life to miserable mortals.

Giving is good, but taking is bad and brings death.

We know how to speak many falsehoods that resemble real things, but we know, when we will, how to speak true things.

For both faith and want of faith have destroyed men alike.

It is best to do things systematically, since we are only human, and disorder is our worst enemy.

Preserve the mean; the opportune moment is best in all things.

Bring a wife home to your house when you are of the right age, not far short of 30 years, nor much above; this is the right time for marriage.

Whoever, fleeing marriage and the sorrows that women cause, does not wish to wed comes to a deadly old age.

Whoever happens to give birth to mischievous children lives always with unending grief in his spirit and heart.

Work is no disgrace: it is idleness which is a disgrace.