Poetry is finer and more philosophical than history; for poetry expresses the universal, and history only the particular.

To give away money is an easy matter and in any man's power. But to decide to whom to give it and how large and when, and for what purpose and how, is neither in every man's power nor an easy matter.

To say of what is that it is not, or of what is not that it is, is false, while to say of what is that it is, and of what is not that it is not, is true.

Think as the wise men think, but talk like the simple people do.

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

Earthworms are the intenstines of the soil.

Even that some people try deceived me many times ... I will not fail to believe that somewhere, someone deserves my trust.