“Men of sense often learn from their enemies. It is from their foes, not their friends, that cities learn the lesson of building high walls and ships of war.”

It should not prejudice my voice that I’m not born a man, if I say something advantageous to the present situation. For I’m taxed too, and as a toll provide men for the nation.

Why, I’d like nothing better than to achieve some bold adventure, worthy of our trip.

You cannot teach a crab to walk straight.

First listen, my friend, and then you may shriek and bluster.

Do not bandy words with your father, nor treat him as a dotard, nor reproach the old man, who has cherished you, with his age.

A man should be able to stand up under any disaster for his country’s good.

A demagogue must be neither an educated nor an honest man; he has to be an ignoramus and a rogue.

Times change. The vices of your age are stylish today.

Woman is adept at getting money for herself and will not easily let herself be deceived; she understands deceit too well herself.

To plunder, to lie, to show your arse, are three essentials for climbing high.

Children have a master to teach them, grown-ups have the poets.

Do not take a blind guide.

Open your mind before your mouth.

You possess all the attributes of a demagogue; a screeching, horrible voice, a perverse, crossgrained nature and the language of the market-place. In you all is united which is needful for governing.

A slave is but half a man.

What unlooked-for things do happen, to be sure, in a long life!

I would not wish any companion in the world but you.

Call me friend, but keep me closer.

When you’re in jail, a good friend will be trying to bail you out. A best friend will be in the cell next to you saying, ‘Damn, that was fun’.

He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends.

Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.

We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable. It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends and living our lives.

Time is the friend of the wonderful company, the enemy of the mediocre.

Never lie to people, because the people you are able to lie to, are the people who trust you.