God and nature create nothing that does not fulfill a purpose

The generality of men are naturally apt to be swayed by fear rather than reverence, and to refrain from evil rather because of the punishment that it brings than because of its own foulness.

It is evident that the state is a creation of nature, and that man is by nature a political animal.

The misanthrope, as an essentially solitary man, is not a man at all: he must be a beast or a god.

It is not easy for a person to do any great harm when his tenure of office is short, whereas long possession begets tyranny.

Meanness is incurable; it cannot be cured by old age, or by anything else.

Good moral character is not something that we can achieve on our own. We need a culture that supports the conditions under which self-love and friendship flourish.