Just as bees make honey from thyme, the strongest and driest of herbs, so do the wise profit from the most difficult of experiences.

How can you prove whether at this moment we are sleeping, and all our thoughts are a dream; or whether we are awake, and talking to one another in the waking state?

We must, if we are to be consistent, and if we re to have a real pedigree herd, mate the best of our men with the best of our women as often as possible, and the inferior men with the inferior women as seldom as possible, and keep only the offspring of the best.

To be curious about that which is not one's concern while still in ignorance of oneself is ridiculous.

I shall assume that your silence gives consent.

How well I remember the aged poet Sophocles, when in answer to the question, "How does love suit with age, Sophocles - are you still the man you were?" he replied, "Peace, most gladly have I escaped the thing of which you speak; I feel as if I had escaped from a mad and furious master."

Until philosophers hold power, neither states nor individuals will have rest from trouble.