“Fortune is like glass—the brighter the glitter, the more easily broken.”

— Publilius Syrus, Sententiae, Maxim 280

About Publilius Syrus

Roman writer of maxims, active in the first century BCE.

“Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries them.”

“He doubly benefits the needy who gives quickly.”

“Bitter for a free man is the bondage of debt.”

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em.”

“Prosperity is the best protector of principle.”

“Ambition has its disappointments to sour us, but never the good fortune to satisfy us.”

“The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed.”

“The long, dull monotonous years of middle-aged prosperity or middle-aged adversity are excellent campaigning weather.”

“In all things success depends on previous preparation, and without such previous preparation there is sure to be failure.”