No man of high and generous spirit is ever willing to indulge in flattery; the good may feel affection for others, but will not flatter them.
AristotleWhy do men seek honour? Surely in order to confirm the favorable opinion they have formed of themselves.
AristotleFor 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 Dรฆdalus or the tripods of Hephรฆstus, 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.
AristotleAnd what has come to prevail in democracies is the very reverse of beneficial, in those, that is, which are regarded as the most democratically run. The reason for this lies in the failure properly to define liberty. For there are two marks by which democracy is thought to be defined: "sovereignty of the majority" and "liberty." "Just" is equated with what is equal, and the decision of the majority as to what is equal is regarded as sovereign; and liberty is seen in terms of doing what one wants.
Aristotle