The qualities which a man seeks in his beloved are those characteristics of his own soul, whether he knows it or not.

For the introduction of a new kind of music must be shunned as imperiling the whole state; since styles of music are never disturbed without affecting the most important political institutions.

Music is to the mind as air is to the body.

The human race will have no respite from evils until those who are really philosophers acquire political power or until, through some divine dispensation, those who rule and have political authority in the cities become real philosophers.

Don't ask a poet to explain himself. He cannot.

Experience proves that anyone who has studied geometry is infinitely quicker to grasp difficult subjects than one who has not.

Fly from the company of the wicked--fly and turn not back.