The wise man should withdraw his soul within, out of the crowd, and keep it in freedom and power to judge things freely; but as for externals, he should wholly follow the accepted fashions and forms.

Eloquence is an engine invented to manage and wield at will the fierce democracy, and, like medicine to the sick, is only employed in the paroxysms of a disordered state.

No pleasure is fully delightful without communications, and no delight absolute except imparted.

Socrates thought and so do I that the wisest theory about the gods is no theory at all.

Almost all the opinions we have are taken on authority and on credit.

It is easier to sacrifice great than little things.

A wise man never loses anything, if he has himself.