Socrates condemned art because he preferred philosophy and only after much internal struggle did Plato accept this judgment.

For what purpose humanity is there should not even concern us: why you are here, that you should ask yourself: and if you have no ready answer, then set for yourself goals, high and noble goals, and perish in pursuit of them!

The greatest cure for love is still that time honoured medicine - love returned.

Unconsciously we seek the principles and opinions which are suited to our temperament, so that at last it seems as if these principles and opinions had formed our character and given it support and stability.

It is the most sensual men who need to flee women and torment their bodies.

Not infrequently, we encounter copies of important human beings; and here, too, as in the case of paintings, most people prefer the copies to the originals.

The grand style follows suit with all great passion. It disdains to please, it forgets to persuade. It commands. It wills.