There are three qualifications required in those who have to fill the highest offices, - (1) first of all, loyalty to the established constitution; (2) the greatest administrative capacity; (3) virtue and justice of the kind proper to each form of government.

We should aim rather at leveling down our desires than leveling up our means.

Excellence or virtue is a settled disposition of the mind that determines our choice of actions and emotions and consists essentially in observing the mean relative to us ... a mean between two vices, that which depends on excess and that which depends on defect.

Happiness is a certain activity of soul in conformity with perfect goodness

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

Thou wilt find rest from vain fancies if thou doest every act in life as though it were thy last.

The honors and rewards fall to those who show their good qualities in action.