Nature offers nothing that can be called this man's rather than another's; but under nature everything belongs to all.

Everything excellent is as difficult as it is rare.

He who seeks equality between unequals seeks an absurdity.

If anyone conceives that he is loved by another, and believes that he has given no cause for such love, he will love that other in return.

Yet nature cannot be contravened, but preserves a fixed and immutable order.

For peace is not mere absence of war, but is a virtue that springs from force of character: for obedience is the constant will to execute what, by the general decree of the commonwealth, ought to be done.

He who lives according to the guidance of reason strives as much as possible to repay the hatred, anger, or contempt of others towards himself with love or generosity. ...hatred is increased by reciprocal hatred, and, on the other hand, can be extinguished by love, so that hatred passes into love.