In painting, the most brilliant colors, spread at random and without design, will give far less pleasure than the simplest outline of a figure.

Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities.

Although it may be difficult in theory to know what is just and equal, the practical difficulty of inducing those to forbear who can, if they like, encroach, is far greater, for the weaker are always asking for equality and justice, but the stronger care for none of these things.

He who hath many friends hath none.

Every community is an association of some kind and every community is established with a view to some good; for everyone always acts in order to obtain that which they think good. But, if all communities aim at some good, the state or political community, which is the highest of all, and which embraces all the rest, aims at good in a greater degree than any other, and at the highest good.

Consider pleasures as they depart, not as they come.

The best friend is he that, when he wishes a person's good, wishes it for that person's own sake.