“I do believe that there are gods, and in a far higher sense than that in which any of my accusers believe in them.”

Every action has its pleasures and its price.

He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.

When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.

Remember that there is nothing stable in human affairs; therefore avoid undue elation in prosperity, or undue depression in adversity.

There is no solution; seek it lovingly.

The highest realms of thought are impossible to reach without first attaining an understanding of compassion.

It is not difficult to avoid death, gentlemen of the jury; it is much more difficult to avoid wickedness, for it runs faster than death.

A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true.

Wisdom begins in wonder.

Thou shouldst eat to live; not live to eat.

There is no greater evil one can suffer than to hate reasonable discourse.

Life contains but two tragedies. One is not to get your heart’s desire; the other is to get it.

To express oneself badly is not only faulty as far as the language goes, but does some harm to the soul.

Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.

The misuse of language induces evil in the soul.

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.