To let them share in the highest offices is to take a risk; inevitably, their unjust standards will cause them to commit injustice, and their lack of judgement will lead them into error. On the other hand there is a risk in not giving them a share, and in their non participation, for when there are many who have no property and no honours they inevitably constitute a huge hostile element in the state. But it can still remain open to them to participate in deliberating and judging.

That which is impossible and probable is better than that which is possible and improbable.

Music directly represents the passions of the soul. If one listens to the wrong kind of music, he will become the wrong kind of person.

Knowledge of the fact differs from knowledge of the reason for the fact.

True happiness comes from gaining insight and growing into your best possible self. Otherwise all you're having is immediate gratification pleasure, which is fleeting and doesn't grow you as a person.

Men pay most attention to what is their own: they care less for what is common; or, at any rate, they care for it only to the extent to which each is individually concerned.

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