Most men appear to think that the art of despotic government is statesmanship, and what men affirm to be unjust and inexpedient in their own case they are not ashamed of practicing towards others; they demand just rule for themselves, but where other men are concerned they care nothing about it. Such behavior is irrational; unless the one party is, and the other is not, born to serve, in which case men have a right to command, not indeed all their fellows, but only those who are intended to be subjects; just as we ought not to hunt mankind, whether for food or sacrifice . .

We are better able to study our neighbours than ourselves, and their actions than our own.

A man becomes a friend whenever being loved he loves in return.

Nowadays, for the sake of the advantage which is to be gained from the public revenues and from office, men want to be always in office.

The greatest of all pleasures is the pleasure of learning.

I have gained this from philosophy: that I do without being commanded what others do only from fear of the law.

The line between lawful and unlawful abortion will be marked by the fact of having sensation and being alive.