I overcame myself, the sufferer; I carried my own ashes to the mountains; I invented a brighter flame for myself.

You say it is the good cause that hallows even war? I say unto you: it is the good war that hallows any cause.

Whoever wants to set a good example must add a grain of foolishness to his virtue: then others can imitate and yet at the same time surpass the one they imitate-which human beings love to do.

It is only when we have ceased to be the followers of our followers that we comprehend how meaningless followers are.

Epicurus had rage and envy of Plato's superior style.

One does not know - cannot know - the best that is in one.

We are more pained when one of our friends is guilty of something shameful than when we do it ourselves.