People of superior refinement and of active disposition identify happiness with honour; for this is roughly speaking, the end of political life.

All men naturally desire knowledge. An indication of this is our esteem for the senses; for apart from their use we esteem them for their own sake, and most of all the sense of sight. Not only with a view to action, but even when no action is contemplated, we prefer sight, generally speaking, to all the other senses. The reason of this is that of all the senses sight best helps us to know things, and reveals many distinctions.

It is through wonder that men now begin and originally began to philosophize; wondering in the first place at obvious perplexities, and then by gradual progression raising questions about the greater matters too.

Love well, be loved and do something of value.

Music directly represents the passions of the soul. If one listens to the wrong kind of music, he will become the wrong kind of person.

No excellent soul is exempt from a mixture of madness.

The complete man must work, study and wrestle.