Men are divided between those who are as thrifty as if they would live forever, and those who are as extravagant as if they were going to die the next day.

Melancholy men, of all others, are the most witty.

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.

As for the story, whether the poet takes it ready made or constructs it for himself, he should first sketch its general outline, and then fill in the episodes and amplify in detail.

For example, justice is considered to mean equality, It does mean equality- but equality for those who are equal, and not for all.

It is this simplicity that makes the uneducated more effective than the educated when addressing popular audiences-makes them, as the poets tell us, 'charm the crowd's ears more finely.' Educated men lay down broad general principles; uneducated men argue from common knowledge and draw obvious conclusions.

Where your talents and the needs of the world cross, therein lies your vocation. These two, your talents and the needs of the world, are the great wake up calls to your true vocation in life... to ignore this, is in some sense, is to lose your soul.