The good lawgiver should inquire how states and races of men and communities may participate in a good life, and in the happiness which is attainable by them.

Tyrants preserve themselves by sowing fear and mistrust among the citizens by means of spies, by distracting them with foreign wars, by eliminating men of spirit who might lead a revolution, by humbling the people, and making them incapable of decisive action.

No one will dare maintain that it is better to do injustice than to bear it.

Because the rich are generally few in number, while the poor are many, they appear to be antagonistic, and as the one or the other prevails they form the government. Hence arises the common opinion that there are two kinds of government - democracy and oligarchy.

... the good for man is an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue, or if there are more kinds of virtue than one, in accordance with the best and most perfect kind.

A king ruleth as he ought, a tyrant as he lists, a king to the profit of all, a tyrant only to please a few.

Pay attention to the young, and make them just as good as possible.