Even when laws have been written down, they ought not always to remain unaltered. As in other sciences, so in politics, it is impossible that all things should be precisely set down in writing; for enactments must be universal, but actions are concerned with particulars. Hence we infer that sometimes and in certain cases laws may be changed.

When there is no middle class, and the poor greatly exceed in number, troubles arise, and the state soon comes to an end.

For what one has to learn to do, we learn by doing.

A good style must, first of all, be clear. It must not be mean or above the dignity of the subject. It must be appropriate.

Governments which have a regard to the common interest are constituted in accordance with strict principles of justice, and are therefore true forms; but those which regard only the interest of the rulers are all defective and perverted forms, for they are despotic, whereas a state is a community of freemen.

The man who is truly good and wise will bear with dignity whatever fortune sends, and will always make the best of his circumstances.

A tragedy is the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself . . . with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish its catharsis of such emotions.