The whole earth is the tomb of heroic men and their story is not given only on stone over their clay but abides everywhere without visible symbol woven into the stuff of other mens lives.

As for poverty, no one need be ashamed to admit it, the real shame is in not taking practical measures to escape from it.

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.

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

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.

For a man's counsel cannot have equal weight or worth, when he alone has no children to risk in the general danger.

Time is the wisest counselor of all.