The energy or active exercise of the mind constitutes life.

In the works of Nature, purpose, not accident, is the main thing.

Friendship is two souls inhabiting one body.

Men create gods after their own image, not only with regard to their form but with regard to their mode of life.

To die, and thus avoid poverty or love, or anything painful, is not the part of a brave man, but rather of a coward; for it is cowardice to avoid trouble, and the suicide does not undergo death because it is honorable, but in order to avoid evil.

He who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god.

For suppose that every tool we had could perform its task, either at our bidding or itself perceiving the need, and if-like the statues made by Dædalus or the tripods of Hephæstus, of which the poet says that "self-moved they enter the assembly of the gods" - shuttles in a loom could fly to and fro and a plectrum play a lyre all self-moved, then master-craftsmen would have no need of servants nor masters of slaves.