Guard yourself against accusations, even if they are false; for the multitude are ignorant of the truth and look only to reputation.

Conduct yourself towards your parents as you would have your children conduct themselves towards you.

So far has Athens left the rest of mankind behind in thought and expression that her pupils have become the teachers of the world, and she has made the name of Hellas distinctive no longer of race but of intellect, and the title of Hellene a badge of education rather than of common descent.

We should not call a city happy because it attracts masses of citizens from everywhere; a fortunate city is one in which the race of the original inhabitants is best preserved.

Oratory is good only if it has the qualities of fitness for the occasion, propriety of style, and originality of treatment, while in the case of letters there is no such need whatsoever.

Always when you are about to say anything, first weigh it in your mind; for with many the tongue outruns the thought.

Regard as your most faithful friends, not those who praise everything you say or do, but those who criticize your mistakes.