“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”

He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.

The most perfect political community is one in which the middle class is in control, and outnumbers both of the other classes.

He who cannot be a good follower cannot be a good leader.

It is of the nature of desire not to be satisfied, and most men live only for the gratification of it.

Of all the varieties of virtues, liberalism is the most beloved.

He is his own best friend and takes delight in privacy whereas the man of no virtue or ability is his own worst enemy and is afraid of solitude.

The best friend is the man who in wishing me well wishes it for my sake.

The gods too are fond of a joke.

A friend is a second self.

Wit is educated insolence.

Give me a child until he is 7 and I will show you the man.

The secret to humor is surprise.

Learning is not child’s play; we cannot learn without pain.

There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.

Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others.

Memory is the scribe of the soul