Books delight to the very marrow of one’s bones. They speak to us, consult with us, and join with us in a living and intense intimacy.
Barba non facit philosophum.
For he who gives no fuel to fire puts it out, and likewise he who does not in the beginning nurse his wrath and does not puff himself up with anger takes precautions against it and destroys it.
Moral habits, induced by public practices, are far quicker in making their way into men’s private lives, than the failings and faults of individuals are in infecting the city at large.
When the strong box contains no more both friends and flatterers shun the door.
If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.
Both Empedocles and Heraclitus held it for a truth that man could not be altogether cleared from injustice in dealing with beasts as he now does.
These Macedonians are a rude and clownish people; they call a spade a spade.
We ought not to treat living creatures like shoes or household belongings, which when worn with use we throw away.
A few vices are sufficient to darken many virtues.
The wildest colts make the best horses.
Neither blame or praise yourself.
Let us carefully observe those good qualities wherein our enemies excel us; and endeavor to excel them, by avoiding what is faulty, and imitating what is excellent in them.
It were better to have no opinion of God at all than such a one as is unworthy of him; for the one is only belief – the other contempt.
The omission of good is no less reprehensible than the commission of evil.
The state of life is most happy where superfluities are not required and necessities are not wanting.
A lover’s soul lives in the body of his mistress.
Alexander esteemed it more kingly to govern himself than to conquer his enemies.
As small letters hurt the sight, so do small matters him that is too much intent upon them; they vex and stir up anger, which begets an evil habit in him in reference to greater affairs.
The talkative listen to no one, for they are ever speaking. And the first evil that attends those who know not to be silent is that they hear nothing.