"Evil is the vulgar lover who loves the body rather than the soul, inasmuch as he is not even stable, because he loves a thing which is in itself unstable, and therefore when the bloom of youth which he was desiring is over, he takes wing and flies away, in spite of all his words and promises; whereas the love of the noble disposition is life-long, for it becomes one with the everlasting."

"Are you not ashamed that you give your attention to acquiring as much money as possible, and similarly with reputation and honor, and give no attention or thought to truth and understanding and the perfection of your soul?"

"Ideas are the source of all things."

"Self-conquest is the greatest of victories."

"All the gold which is under or upon the earth is not enough to give in exchange for virtue."

"I am not given to finding fault, for there are innumerable fools."

"There is nothing I like better than conversing with aged men. For I regard them as travelers who have gone a journey which I too may have to go, and of whom I ought to inquire whether the way is smooth and easy or rugged and difficult. Is life harder toward the end, or what report do you give it?"

"The matter is as it is in all other cases: If it is naturally in you to be a good orator, a notable orator you will be when you have acquired knowledge and practice.,."

"Either never, or very seldom, do the quiet actions in life appear to be better than the quick and energetic ones."

"No one ever teaches well who wants to teach, or governs well who wants to govern."