We employ the mind to rule, the body to serve.

All this care for the world, we must believe, is taken by the Gods without any act of will or labor. As bodies which possess some power produce their effects by merely existing: e.g. the sun gives light and heat by merely existing; so, and far more so, the providence of the Gods acts without effort to itself and for the good of the objects of its forethought. This solves the problems of the Epicureans , who argue that what is divine neither has trouble itself nor gives trouble to others.

The Gods being good and making all things, there is no positive evil, it only comes by absence of good; just as darkness itself does not exist, but only comes about by absence of light.

Among intellectual pursuits, one of the most useful is the recording of past events.

The renown which riches or beauty confer is fleeting and frail mental excellence is a splendid and lasting possession.

The poorest of men are the most useful to those seeking power.

There were few who preferred honor to money.