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.

Sophocles said he drew men as they ought to be, and Euripides as they were.

The shape of the heaven is of necessity spherical; for that is the shape most appropriate to its substance and also by nature primary.

The best way to avoid envy is to deserve the success you get.

One who faces and who fears the right things and from the right motive, in the right way and at the right time, posseses character worthy of our trust and admiration.

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.

It has been well said that 'he who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander.' The two are not the same, but the good citizen ought to be capable of both; he should know how to govern like a freeman, and how to obey like a freeman - these are the virtues of a citizen.