The senses are gateways to the intelligence. There is nothing in the intelligence which did not first pass through the senses.

The coward calls the brave man rash, the rash man calls him a coward.

Neither by nature, then, nor contrary to nature do the virtues arise in us; rather we are adapted by nature to receive them, and are made perfect by habit.

Courage is the first virtue that makes all other virtues possible.

Nature does nothing in vain.

We are better able to study our neighbours than ourselves, and their actions than our own.

It must not be supposed that happiness will demand many or great possessions; for self-sufficiency does not depend on excessive abundance, nor does moral conduct, and it is possible to perform noble deeds even without being ruler of land and sea: one can do virtuous acts with quite moderate resources. This may be clearly observed in experience: private citizens do not seem to be less but more given to doing virtuous actions than princes and potentates. It is sufficient then if moderate resources are forthcoming; for a life of virtuous activity will be essentially a happy life.