He who has knowledge of the just and the good and beautiful ... will not, when in earnest, write them in ink.

Consider how great is the encouragement which all the world gives to the lover; neither is he supposed to be doing anything dishonourable; but if he succeeds he is praised, and if he fail he is blamed.

Necessity, who is the mother of our invention.

Until philosophers rule as kings or those who are now called kings and leading men genuinely and adequately philosophise, that is, until political power and philosophy entirely coincide, while the many natures who at present pursue either one exclusively are forcibly prevented from doing so, cities will have no rest from evils,... nor, I think, will the human race.

Not by force shall the children learn, but through play

As there are misanthropists or haters of men, so also are there misologists, or haters of ideas.

Excess of liberty, whether it lies in state or individuals, seems only to pass into excess of slavery.