I am of opinion that national greatness is more for the advantage of private citizens, than any individual well-being coupled with public humiliation. A man may be personally ever so well off, and yet if his country be ruined he must be ruined with it; whereas a flourishing commonwealth always affords chances of salvation to unfortunate individuals.

We Athenians hold that it is not poverty that is disgraceful but the failure to struggle against it.

Time is the wisest counselor of all.

An Athenian citizen does not neglect his state because he takes care of his own household; even those of us who are engaged in business have a very fair idea of politics. We do not regard a man who takes no interest in public affairs as harmless. We do not say that such a man 'minds his own business'. Rather we say he has no business here at all.

Just because you are not interested in politics, does not mean that politics is not interested in you.

She is best who is least spoken of among men, whether for good or evil.

Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you!