How we cite our quotes: Act.Scene
Quote #7
Lodo. …Ud's death! how did my sword miss him?
These rogues that are most weary of their lives
Still 'scape the greatest dangers. (3.3)
Paradoxically, cynical rogues like Flamineo manage to survive longest. Maybe it's because their pessimistic worldview is more realistic and actually gives them a leg up?
Quote #8
Fran. 'Tis a ridiculous thing for a man to be his own chronicle: I did never wash my mouth with mine own praise, for fear of getting a stinking breath.
Marc. You 're too stoical. The duke will expect other discourse from you.
Fran. I shall never flatter him: I have studied man too much to do that. What difference is between the duke and I? no more than between two bricks, all made of one clay: only 't may be one is placed in top of a turret, the other in the bottom of a well, by mere chance. If I were placed as high as the duke, I should stick as fast, make as fair a show, and bear out weather equally.
Flam. If this soldier had a patent to beg in churches, then he would tell them stories. (5.1)
Marcello criticizes Francisco for being too "stoical", rather than singing his own praises. Francisco—or at least the North African soldier he's pretending to be—believes in Stoic principles like the basic equality of people and avoiding bluster and egotism. Flamineo cynically says Francisco ("Mulinassar") probably would beg in churches and boast about his past to get charity, if he needed to.
Quote #9
Flam. Misery of princes,
That must of force be censur'd by their slaves!
Not only blam'd for doing things are ill,
But for not doing all that all men will:
One were better be a thresher. (5.3)
This might be a pessimistic viewpoint—but it's actually closer to the Greek philosophy of Epicureanism (the main rival of Stoicism). The Epicureans thought it was better to "live unknown" and enjoy simple pleasures, rather than to strive for power and success.