To fear death, my friends, is only to think ourselves wise without really being wise, for it is to think that we know what we do not know.

Madness comes from God, whereas sober sense is merely human.

If we are to keep our flock at the highest pitch of excellence, there should be as many unions of the best of both sexes, and as few of the inferior as possible, and that only the offspring of the better unions should be kept.

It gives me great pleasure to converse with the aged. They have been over the road that all of us must travel, and know where it is rough and difficult and where it is level and easy.

Whereas the truth is that the State in which the rulers are most reluctant to govern is always the best and most quietly governed, and the State in which they are most eager, the worst.

The philosopher whose dealings are with divine order himself acquires the characteristics of order and divinity.

To be at once exceedingly wealthy and good is impossible.