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.

We are like people looking for something they have in their hands all the time; we're looking in all directions except at the thing we want, which is probably why we haven't found it.

Atheism is a disease of the soul before it becomes an error of understanding.

Must not all things at the last be swallowed up in death?

Man...is a tame or civilized animal; never the less, he requires proper instruction and a fortunate nature, and then of all animals he becomes the most divine and most civilized; but if he be insufficiently or ill- educated he is the most savage of earthly creatures.

The elements of instruction should be presented to the mind in childhood, but not with any compulsion.

Self conquest is the greatest of victories.