All men have a feeling, that they would rather you told them a civil lie than give them a point blank refusal.... If you make a promise, the thing is still uncertain, depends on a future day, and concerns but few people; but if you refuse you alienate people to a certainty and at once, and many people too.

No one sees what is before his feet: they scan the tracks of heaven.

Law stands mute in the midst of arms.

For the laws are dumb in the midst of arms.

The works of nature must all be accounted good.

On the subject of the nature of the gods, the first question is Do the gods exist or do the not? It is difficult you may say to deny that they exist. I would agree if we were arguing the matter in a public assembly, but in a private discussion of this kind, it is perfectly easy to do so.

I like myself, but I won't say I'm as handsome as the bull that kidnapped Europa.