There is a ... matter - much more valuable and divine than natural philosophy . ... On this matter I must speak to you in enigmas.

The science [geometry] is pursued for the sake of the knowledge of what eternally exists, and not of what comes for a moment into existence, and then perishes.

Trees and fields tell me nothing: men are my teachers.

That politician who curries favor with the citizens and indulges them and fawns upon them and has a presentiment of their wishes, and is skillful in gratifying them, he is esteemed a great statesman.

All wars are fought for the sake of getting money.

I would have you imagine, then, that there exists in the mind of man a block of wax... and that we remember and know what is imprinted as long as the image lasts; but when the image is effaced, or cannot be taken, then we forget or do not know.

The right question is usually more important than the right answer.