You may be sure, dear Crito, that inaccurate language is not only in itself a mistake: it implants evil in men's souls.

Excess of liberty, whether it lies in state or individuals, seems only to pass into excess of slavery.

He who is only an athlete is too crude, too vulgar, too much a savage. He who is a scholar only is too soft, to effeminate. The ideal citizen is the scholar athlete, the man of thought and the man of action.

Physical excellence does not of itself produce a good mind and character: on the other hand, excellence of mind and character will make the best of the physique it is given.

Arguments, like men, are often pretenders.

Man is a wingless animal with two feet and flat nails.

For neither does wealth bring honour to the owner, if he be a coward; of such a one the wealth belongs to another, and not to himself. Nor does beauty and strength of body, when dwelling in a base and cowardly man, appear comely, but the reverse of comely, making the possessor more conspicuous, and manifesting forth his cowardice.