Governments which have a regard to the common interest are constituted in accordance with strict principles of justice, and are therefore true forms; but those which regard only the interest of the rulers are all defective and perverted forms, for they are despotic, whereas a state is a community of freemen.

Friendship is two souls inhabiting one body.

Men cling to life even at the cost of enduring great misfortune.

Virtue is more clearly shown in the performance of fine ACTIONS than in the non-performance of base ones.

The difference between a learned man and an ignorant one is the same as that between a living man and a corpse.

Freedom is obedience to self-formulated rules.

The gods too are fond of a joke.