Between husband and wife friendship seems to exist by nature, for man is naturally disposed to pairing.

When people are friends, they have no need of justice, but when they are just, they need friendship in addition.

Hence both women and children must be educated with an eye to the constitution, if indeed it makes any difference to the virtue of a city-state that its children be virtuous, and its women too. And it must make a difference, since half the free population are women, and from children come those who participate in the constitution.

The greatest injustices proceed from those who pursue excess, not by those who are driven by necessity.

Those who educate children well are more to be honored than they who produce them; for these only gave them life, those the art of living well.

For what is the best choice for each individual is the highest it is possible for him to achieve.

Even when laws have been written down, they ought not always to remain unaltered.