Neither should we forget the mean, which at the present day is lost sight of in perverted forms of government; for many practices which appear to be democratical are the ruin of democracies, . . Those who think that all virtue is to be found in their own party principles push matters to extremes; they do not consider that disproportion destroys a state.

Nature of man is not what he was born as, but what he is born for.

[this element], the seat of the appetites and of desire in general, does in a sense participate in principle, as being amenable and obedient to it

To enjoy the things we ought and to hate the things we ought has the greatest bearing on excellence of character.

Wicked men obey out of fear. good men, out of love

One may go wrong in many different ways, but right only in one, which is why it is easy to fail and difficult to succeed.

Everybody loves a thing more if it has cost him trouble: for instance those who have made money love money more than those who have inherited it.