We ought to regard books as we do sweetmeats, not wholly to aim at the pleasantest, but chiefly to respect the wholesomest; not forbidding either, but approving the latter most.

The superstitious man wishes he did not believe in gods, as the atheist does not, but fears to disbelieve in them.

As geographers, Sosius, crowd into the edges of their maps parts of the world which they do not know about, adding notes in the margin to the effect that beyond this lies nothing but sandy deserts full of wild beasts, and unapproachable bogs.

We ought not to treat living creatures like shoes or household belongings, which when worn with use we throw away.

Friendship is the most pleasant of all things, and nothing more glads the heart of man.

When Demosthenes was asked what were the three most important aspects of oratory, he answered, 'Action, Action, Action.'

When Anaxagoras was told of the death of his son, he only said, "I knew he was mortal." So we in all casualties of life should say "I knew my riches were uncertain, that my friend was but a man." Such considerations would soon pacify us, because all our troubles proceed from their being unexpected.