We become just by the practice of just actions, self-controlled by exercising self-control, and courageous by performing acts of courage.

Melancholy men of all others are most witty, which causeth many times a divine ravishment, and a kinde of Enthusiasmus, which stirreth them up to bee excellent Philosophers, Poets, Prophets, etc.

Any change of government which has to be introduced should be one which men, starting from their existing constitutions, will be both willing and able to adopt, since there is quite as much trouble in the reformation of an old constitution as in the establishment of a new one, just as to unlearn is as hard as to learn.

For what is the best choice for each individual is the highest it is possible for him to achieve.

The misanthrope, as an essentially solitary man, is not a man at all: he must be a beast or a god.

No one loves the man whom he fears.

Because the rich are generally few in number, while the poor are many, they appear to be antagonistic, and as the one or the other prevails they form the government. Hence arises the common opinion that there are two kinds of government - democracy and oligarchy.