...for our wisdom is better than the strength of men or of horses. ... nor is it right to prefer strength to excellent wisdom. For if there should be in the city [any athlete whose skill] is honoured more than strength ... the city would not on that account be any better governed.

Homer and Hesiod attributed to the gods all things which are disreputable and worthy of blame when done by men; and they told of them many lawless deeds, stealing, adultery, and deception of each other.

Truly the gods have not from the beginning revealed all things to mortals, but by long seeking, mortals discover what is better.

This upper limit, of earth at our feet is visible and touches the air, but below it reaches to infinity

The clear and perfect truth no man has seen, nor will there be anyone who knows about the gods and what I say about all things...; for, however perfect what he says may be, yet he does not know it; all things are matters of opinion.

The Ethiopians say that their gods are snub-nosed and black the Thracians that theirs have light blue eyes and red hair.

For we are all sprung from earth and water