Many are the noble words in which poets speak concerning the actions of men; but like yourself when speaking about Homer, they do not speak of them by any rules of art: they are simply inspired to utter that to which the Muse impels them, and that only; and when inspired, one of them will make dithyrambs, another hymns of praise, another choral strains, another epic or iambic verses- and he who is good at one is not good any other kind of verse: for not by art does the poet sing, but by power divine.

Train children not by compulsion but as if they were playing.

He who does not desire power is fit to hold it.

A democracy is a state in which the poor, gaining the upper hand, kill some and banish others, and then divide the offices among the remaining citizens equally, usually by lot.

Anything worth knowing is already known and must be remembered and reclaimed by the soul.

Ignorance is the root cause of all difficulties.

The cure of the part should not be attempted without the cure of the whole.