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.

Being a father is the most rewarding thing a man whose career has plateaued can do.

The difference between a learned man and an ignorant one is the same as that between a living man and a corpse.

The vigorous are no better than the lazy during one half of life, for all men are alike when asleep.

The law is reason unaffected by desire.

A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side.

Every virtue is a mean between two extremes, each of which is a vice.