There are all kinds of devices invented for the protection and preservation of countries: defensive barriers, forts, trenches, and the like... But prudent minds have as a natural gift one safeguard which is the common possession of all, and this applies especially to the dealings of democracies. What is this safeguard? Skepticism. This you must preserve. This you must retain. If you can keep this, you need fear no harm.

It is impossible for men engaged in low and groveling pursuits to have noble and generous sentiments. A man's thought must always follow his employment.

The best protection for the people is not necessarily to believe everything people tell them.

A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true.

What we wish, that we readily believe.

We need money, for sure, Athenians, and without money nothing can be done that ought to be done.

The man who is in the highest state of prosperity, and who thinks his fortune is most secure, knows not if it will remain unchanged till the evening.