Those who have experienced good and bad luck many times have every reason to be skeptical of successes

In a word I claim that our city as a whole is an education to Greece.

And it is certain that those who do not yield to their equals, who keep terms with their superiors, and are moderate towards their inferiors, on the whole succeed best.

We Greeks believe that a man who takes no part in public affairs is not merely lazy, but good for nothing

I am not blaming those who are resolved to rule, only those who show an even greater readiness to submit.

Most people, in fact, will not take the trouble in finding out the truth, but are much more inclined to accept the first story they hear.

Some legislators only wish to vengeance against a particular enemy. Others only look out for themselves. They devote very little time on the consideration of any public issue. They think that no harm will come from their neglect. They act as if it is always the business of somebody else to look after this or that. When this selfish notion is entertained by all, the commonwealth slowly begins to decay.