In order that the mind should see light instead of darkness, so the entire soul must be turned away from this changing world, until its eye can learn to contemplate reality and that supreme splendor which we have called the good. Hence there may well be an art whose aim would be to effect this very thing.

The real artist, who knew what he was imitating, would be interested in realities and not in imitations; and would desire to leave as memorials of himself works many and fair; and, instead of being the author of encomiums, he would prefer to be the theme of them.

The heart of the person before you is a mirror. See there your own form.

Fear of women love more than hate the man.

What most counts is not merely to live, but to live right.

Virtue does not come from wealth, but wealth, and every other good thing which men have comes from virtue.

Often when looking at a mass of things for sale, he would say to himself, 'How many things I have no need of!'