The abuse of buying and selling votes crept in and
money began to play an important part in determining
elections. Later on, this process of corruption spread to
the law courts. And then to the army, and finally the
Republic was subjected to the rule of emperors
The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.
I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.
An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics.
Wickedness frames the engines of her own torment. She is a wonderful artisan of a miserable life.
Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly.
Barba non facit philosophum
Knowledge of divine things for the most part, as Heraclitus says, is lost to us by incredulity.
When Anaxagoras was told of the death of his son, he only said, “I knew he was mortal.” So we in all casualties of life should say “I knew my riches were uncertain, that my friend was but a man.” Such considerations would soon pacify us, because all our troubles proceed from their being unexpected.
A fool cannot hold his tongue.
Learn to be pleased with everything…because it could always be worse, but isn’t!
The real destroyer of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations and benefits.
If you hate your enemies, you will contract such a vicious habit of mind that it will break out upon those who are your friends, or those who are indifferent to you.
For the wise man, every day is a festival.
The richest soil, if uncultivated, produces the rankest weeds.
Our senses through ignorance of Reality, falsely tell us that what appears to be, is. FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real
The measure of a man is the way he bears up under misfortune.
Character is simply habit long continued.
It is not the most distinguished achievements that men’s virtues or vices may be best discovered; but very often an action of small note. An casual remark or joke shall distinguish a person’s real character more than the greatest sieges, or the most important battles.
It is not reasonable that he who does not shoot should hit the mark, nor that he who does not stand fast at his post should win the day, or that the helpless man should succeed or the coward prosper.
What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.
A healer of others, himself diseased.
We are more sensible of what is done against custom than against nature.
To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future.
Either is both, and Both is neither.
