In bad or corrupted natures the body will often appear to rule over the soul, because they are in an evil and unnatural condition. At all events we may firstly observe in living creatures both a despotical and a constitutional rule; for the soul rules the body with a despotical rule, whereas the intellect rules the appetites with a constitutional and royal rule. And it is clear that the rule of the soul over the body, and of the mind and the rational element over the passionate, is natural and expedient; whereas the equality of the two or the rule of the inferior is always hurtful.

Obstinate people can be divided into the opinionated, the ignorant, and the boorish.

We give up leisure in order that we may have leisure, just as we go to war in order that we may have peace.

The beginning, as the proverb says, is half the whole.

The high-minded man does not bear grudges, for it is not the mark of a great soul to remember injuries, but to forget them.

Doubt is the beginning of wisdom

To enjoy the things we ought and to hate the things we ought has the greatest bearing on excellence of character.