And what do you say of lovers of wine... they are glad of any pretext of drinking any wine

When the mind's eye rests on objects illuminated by truth and reality, it understands and comprehends them, and functions intelligently; but when it turns to the twilight world of change and decay, it can only form opinions, its vision is confused and its beliefs shifting, and it seems to lack intelligence.

The love of the gods belongs to anyone who has given to true virtue and nourished it, and if any human being could become immortal, it would be he.

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

No one knows whether death is really the greatest blessing a man can have, but they fear it is the greatest curse, as if they knew well.

And the true order of going, or being led by another, to the things of love, is to begin from the beauties of earth.

If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools.