The fear of death is indeed the pretence of wisdom, and not real wisdom, being the appearance of knowing the unknown.

Remember how in that communion only, beholding beauty with the eye of the mind, he will be enabled to bring forth, not images of beauty, but realities (for he has hold not of an image but of a reality), and bringing forth and nourishing true virtue to become the friend of God and be immortal, if mortal man may.

There are three classes of men; lovers of wisdom, lovers of honor, and lovers of gain.

Love is a serious mental disease.

Let him know how to choose the mean and avoid the extremes on either side, as far as possible. . . . For this is the way of happiness.

There should exist among the citizens neither extreme poverty nor again excessive wealth, for both are productive of great evil.

When a man drinks wine at dinner, he begins to be better pleased with himself.