What keeps the democracy alive at all but the hatred of excellence; the desire of the base to see no head higher than their own?

Power is the test. Some, once they have it, are content to buy the show of liking, and punish those who withhold it; then you have a despot. But some keep a true eye for how they seem to others, and care about it, which holds them back from much mischief.

Tell a man what he may not sing and he is still half free; even all free, if he never wanted to sing it. But tell him what he must sing, take up his time with it so that his true voice cannot sound even in secret -- there, I have seen is slavery.

It is better to believe in men too rashly, and regret, than believe too meanly. Men could be more than they are, if they would try for it. He has shown them that.

Go with your fate, but not beyond. Beyond leads to dark places.

Often beauty grows dull or common when speech breaks the mask.

We Persians have a saying that one should deliberate serious matters first drunk, then sober.