Original text (Latin)
Only a few prefer liberty, the majority seek nothing more than fair masters.
For the fame of riches and beauty is fickle and frail, while virtue is eternally excellent.
Get good counsel before you begin: and when you have decided, act promptly.
In the fields of observation chance favors only the prepared mind.
Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em.
O Fortune, cruellest of heavenly powers,
Why make such game of this poor life of ours?
Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Sallust (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.