Do not expect Plato's ideal republic; be satisfied with even the smallest step forward, and consider this no small achievement.

Do not act as if you were going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over you. While you live, while it is in your power, be good.

Tomorrow is nothing, today is too late; the good lived yesterday.

Take full account of what Excellencies you possess, and in gratitude remember how you would hanker after them, if you had them not.

There is but one thing of real value - to cultivate truth and justice, and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men.

No form of nature is inferior to art; for the arts merely imitate natural forms.

The constant recollection of death is the test of human conduct.