The peoples of the Mediterranean began to emerge from barbarism when they learned to cultivate the olive and the vine.

Mankind apparently find it easier to drive away adversity than to retain prosperity.

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.

For they had learned that true safety was to be found in long previous training, and not in eloquent exhortations uttered when they were going into action.

What made the war inevitable was the growth of Athenian power and the fear which this caused in Sparta.

You should punish in the same manner those who commit crimes with those who accuse falsely.

They are surely to be esteemed the bravest spirits who, having the clearest sense of both the pains and pleasures of life, do not on that account shrink from danger.