Entire ignorance is not so terrible or extreme an evil, and is far from being the greatest of all.

The real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.

If there were only some way of contriving that a state or an army should be made up of lovers and their beloved, they would be the very best governors of their own city, abstaining from all dishonour, and emulating one another in honour; and when fighting at each other's side, although a mere handful, they would overcome the world. For what lover would not choose rather to be seen by all mankind than by his beloved, either when abandoning his post or throwing away his arms? He would be ready to die a thousand deaths rather than endure this.

What is at issue is the conversion of the mind from the twilight of error to the truth, that climb up into the real world which we shall call true philosophy.

Most people affirm pleasure to be the good, but the finer sort of wits say it is knowledge.

The highest reach of injustice is to be deemed just when you are not.

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.