Hence poetry is something more philosophic and of graver import than history, since its statements are of the nature rather of universals, whereas those of history are singulars.

The gods too are fond of a joke.

Happiness is an expression of the soul in considered actions.

The specific excellence of verbal expression in poetry is to be clear without being low.

Metaphor is halfway between the unintelligible and the commonplace.

God and nature create nothing that does not fulfill a purpose

Through discipline comes freedom.