"Democracy is a charming form of government, full of variety and disorder, and dispensing a sort of equality to equals and unequal alike."

"Excess generally causes reaction, and produces a change in the opposite direction, whether it be in the seasons, or in individuals, or in governments."

"The philosopher whose dealings are with divine order himself acquires the characteristics of order and divinity."

"You are young, my son, and, as the years go by, time will change and even reverse many of your present opinions. Refrain therefore awhile from setting yourself up as a judge of the highest matters."

"No human thing is of serious importance."

"Appearance tyrannizes over truth."

"The makers of fortunes have a second love of money as a creation of their own, resembling the affection of authors for their own poems, or of parents for their children, besides that natural love of it for the sake of use and profit which is common to them and all men. And hence they are very bad company, for they can talk about nothing but the praises of wealth."

"He who is not a good servant will not be a good master."

"Every king springs from a race of slaves, and every slave had kings among his ancestors."

"The more the pleasures of the body fade away, the greater to me is the pleasure and charm of conversation."