Things which are accidentally the causes either of hope or fear are called good or evil omens.

Human infirmity in moderating and checking the emotions I name bondage : for, when a man is a prey to his emotions, he is not his own master, but lies at the mercy of fortune : so much so, that he is often compelled, while seeing that which is better for him, to follow that which is worse.

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.

The highest endeavor of the mind, and the highest virtue, it to understand things by intuition.

How would it be possible if salvation were ready to our hand, and could without great labor be found, that it should be by almost all men neglected? But all things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.

The order and connection of ideas is the same as the order and connection of things.

All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.