To conquer oneself is the best and noblest victory; to be vanquished by one's own nature is the worst and most ignoble defeat.

We do not learn; and what we call learning is only a process of recollection.

Life must be lived as play, playing certain games, making sacrifices, singing and dancing, and then a man will be able to propitiate the gods.

What is better adapted than the festive use of wine in the first place to test and in the second place to train the character of a man, if care be taken in the use of it? What is there cheaper or more innocent?

Other people are likely not to be aware that those who pursue philosophy aright study nothing but dying and being dead. Now if this is true, it would be absurd to be eager for nothing but this all their lives, and then to be troubled when that came for which they had all along been eagerly practicing.

Do not expect justice where might is right.

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