What it lies in our power to do, it lies in our power not to do.

Happiness does not consist in amusement. In fact, it would be strange if our end were amusement, and if we were to labor and suffer hardships all our life long merely to amuse ourselves.... The happy life is regarded as a life in conformity with virtue. It is a life which involves effort and is not spent in amusement.

The virtue as the art consecrates itself constantly to what's difficult to do, and the harder the task, the shinier the success.

Experience has shown that it is difficult, if not impossible, for a populous state to be run by good laws.

It is better for a city to be governed by a good man than by good laws.

Wicked me obey from fear; good men,from love.

Virtue means doing the right thing, in relation to the right person, at the right time, to the right extent, in the right manner, and for the right purpose. Thus, to give money away is quite a simple task, but for the act to be virtuous, the donor must give to the right person, for the right purpose, in the right amount, in the right manner, and at the right time.