There is nothing like despair to make one throw oneself upon the gods.

Half the world's troubles come from men not being trained to resent a fallacy as much as an insult.

All men seek esteem; the best by lifting themselves, which is hard to do, the rest by shoving others down, which is much easier.

It gives me no joy to be praised at the expense of a better artist, by someone who does not know the difference or who thinks me too vain to be aware of it myself.

Love is a boaster at heart, who cannot hide the stolen horse without giving a glimpse of the bridle.

In all men is evil sleeping; the good man is he who will not awaken it, in himself or in other men.

Change is the sum of the universe, and what is of nature ought not to be feared. But one gives it hostages, and lays one's grief upon the gods. Sokrates is free, and would have taught me freedom. But I have yoked the immortal horse that draws the chariot with a horse of earth; and when the one falls, both are entangled in the traces.