The most perfect political community is one in which the middle class is in control, and outnumbers both of the other classes.

You are what you repeatedly do

No man of high and generous spirit is ever willing to indulge in flattery; the good may feel affection for others, but will not flatter them.

The beauty of the soul shines out when a man bears with composure one heavy mischance after another, not because he does not feel them, but because he is a man of high and heroic temper.

The democrats think that as they are equal they ought to be equal in all things.

He who thus considers things in their first growth and origin ... will obtain the clearest view of them.

The worst thing about slavery is that the slaves eventually get to like it.