Quotes

For in order to command well, we should know how to submit; and he who submits with a good grace will some time become worthy of commanding.

For what is there more hideous than avarice, more brutal than lust, more contemptible than cowardice, more base than stupidity and folly?

For there is but one essential justice which cements society, and one law which establishes this justice. This law is right reason, which is the true rule of all commandments and prohibitions. Whoever neglects this law, whether written or unwritten, is necessarily unjust and wicked.

Honorable things, not secretive things, are sought by good men.

True glory strikes root, and even extends itself; all false pretensions fall as do flowers, nor can anything feigned be lasting.

But of all motives, none is better adapted to secure influence and hold it fast than love; nothing is more foreign to that end than fear.

For of all gainful professions, nothing is better, nothing more pleasing, nothing more delightful, nothing better becomes a well-bred man than agriculture.

Unbecoming to a gentleman, too, and vulgar are the means of livelihood of all hired workmen whom we pay for mere manual labour, not for artistic skill; for in their case the very wage they receive is a pledge of their slavery.

Desire ought to obey reason.

But still anger ought be far from us, for nothing is able to be done rightly nor judiciously with anger.

We may, indeed, indulge in sport and jest, but in the same way as we enjoy sleep or other relaxations, and only when we have satisfied the claims of our earnest, serious task

Arms are of little value in the field unless there is wise counsel at home.

Before entering any occupation, diligent preparation is to be undertaken.

While there are two ways of contending, one by discussion, the other by force, the former belonging properly to man, the latter to beasts, recourse must be had to the latter if there be no opportunity for employing the former.

We are not born for ourselves alone; a part of us is claimed by our nation, another part by our friends.

The distinguishing property of man is to search for and to follow after truth. Therefore, when relaxed from our necessary cares and concerns, we then covet to see, to hear, and to learn somewhat; and we esteem knowledge of things either obscure or wonderful to be the indispensable means of living happily.

Injustice often arises also through chicanery, that is, through an over-subtle and even fraudulent construction of the law. This it is that gave rise to the now familiar saw, "More law, less justice."

Everything is in a state of metamorphosis. Thou thyself art in everlasting change and in corruption to correspond; so is the whole universe.

No form of Nature is inferior to Art; for the arts merely imitate natural forms.

In the morning, when thou art sluggish at rousing thee, let this thought be present; “I am rising to a man’s work.”