Luxurious food and drinks, in no way protect you from harm. Wealth beyond what is natural, is no more use than an overflowing container. Real value is not generated by theaters, and baths, perfumes or ointments, but by philosophy.

I have never wished to cater to the crowd; for what I know they do not approve, and what they approve I do not know.

Justice has no independent existence; it results from mutual contracts, and establishes itself wherever there is a mutual engagement to guard against doing or sustaining mutual injury.

The fool’s life is empty of gratitude and full of fears; its course lies wholly toward the future.

A beneficent person is like a fountain watering the earth, and spreading fertility; it is, therefore, more delightful to give than to receive.

It is vain to ask of the gods what man is capable of supplying for himself.

Necessity is an evil; but there is no necessity for continuing to live subject to necessity.