When you wish to instruct, be brief; that men's [children's] minds take in quickly what you say, learn its lesson, and retain it faithfully. Every word that is unnecessary only pours over the side of a brimming mind.

In this statement, my Scipio, I build on your own admirable definition, that there can be no community, properly so called, unless it be regulated by a combination of rights. And by this definition it appears that a multitude of men may be just as tyrannical as a single despot and indeed this is the most odious of all tyrannies, since no monster can be more barbarous than the mob, which assumes the name and mask of the people.

To know the laws is not to memorize their letter but to grasp their full force and meaning.

I cease not to advocate peace; even though unjust it is better than the most just war.

Nature has planted in our minds an insatiable longing to see the truth.

Memory is the receptacle and sheath of all knowledge

The first bond of society is the marriage tie; the next our children; then the whole family of our house, and all things in common.