We must speak first about the division of land and about those who cultivate it: who should they be and what kind of person? We do not agree with those who have said that property should be communally owned, but we do believe that there should be a friendly arrangement for its common use, and that none of the citizens should be without means of support.

Thinking is different from perceiving and is held to be in part imagination, in part judgment

Ancient laws remain in force long after the people have the power to change them.

.. for desire is like a wild beast, and anger perverts rulers and the very best of men. Hence law is intelligence without appetition.

So we must lay it down that the association which is a state exists not for the purpose of living together but for the sake of noble actions.

It is clear that those constitutions which aim at the common good are right, as being in accord with absolute justice; while those which aim only at the good of the rulers are wrong.

It is unbecoming for young men to utter maxims.