When there is no middle class, and the poor greatly exceed in number, troubles arise, and the state soon comes to an end.

We become just by performing just action, temperate by performing temperate actions, brave by performing brave action.

For well-being and health, again, the homestead should be airy in summer, and sunny in winter. A homestead possessing these qualities would be longer than it is deep; and its main front would face the south.

Happiness, then, is found to be something perfect and self-sufficient, being the end to which our actions are directed.

Governments which have a regard to the common interest are constituted in accordance with strict principles of justice, and are therefore true forms; but those which regard only the interest of the rulers are all defective and perverted forms, for they are despotic, whereas a state is a community of freemen.

Misfortune shows those who are not really friends.

Happiness is a quality of the soul...not a function of one's material circumstances.