One can ever assume to be what he is not, and to conceal what he is.

Ambition drove many men to become false; to have one thought locked in the breast, another ready on the tongue.

In my opinion, he only may be truly said to live and enjoy his being who is engaged in some laudable pursuit, and acquires a name by some illustrious action, or useful art.

In victory even the cowardly like to boast, while in adverse times even the brave are discredited.

The soul sins therefore because, while aiming at good, it makes mistakes about the good, because it is not primary essence. And we see many things done by the Gods to prevent it from making mistakes and to heal it when it has made them. Arts and sciences, curses and prayers, sacrifices and initiations, laws and constitutions, judgments and punishments, all came into existence for the sake of preventing souls from sinning; and when they are gone forth from the body, Gods and spirits of purification cleanse them of their sins.

To someone seeking power, the poorest man is the most useful.

A good man would prefer to be defeated than to defeat injustice by evil means.