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

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

Abhor flatterers as you would deceivers; for both, if trusted, injure those who trust them. If you admit as friends men who seek your favor for the lowest ends, your life will be lacking in friends who will risk your displeasure for the highest good.

Be gracious to all men, but choose the best to be your friends.

And let no one suppose that I claim that just living can be taught for, in a word, I hold that there does not exist an art of the kind which can implant sobriety and justice into depraved natures. Nevertheless, I do think that the study of political discourse can help more than any other thing to stimulate and form such qualities of character

Whetstones are not themselves able to cut, but make iron sharp and capable of cutting.

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