Our nature holds so much envy and malice that our pleasure in our own advantages is not so great as our distress at others'.

Lycurgus being asked why he, who in other respects appeared to be so zealous for the equal rights of men, did not make his government democratical rather than oligarchical, "Go you," replied the legislator, "and try a democracy in your own house.

A few vices are sufficient to darken many virtues.

For the correct analogy for the mind is not a vessel that needs filling, but wood that needs igniting.

Let a prince be guarded with soldiers, attended by councillors, and shut up in forts; yet if his thoughts disturb him, he is miserable.

Distressed valor challenges great respect, even from an enemy.

The belly has no ears.