Society and the World

I prefer nothing, unless it is true.

I must distinguish between that which always is and never becomes and which is apprehended by reason and reflection, and that which always becomes and never is and is conceived by opinion with the help of sense.

I must go beyond the dark world of sense information to the clear brilliance of the sunlight of the outside world. Once done, it becomes my duty to go back to the cave in order to illuminate the minds of those imprisoned in the ‘darkness’ of sensory knowledge.

I know not how I may seem to others, but to myself I am but a small child wandering upon the vast shores of knowledge, every now and then finding a small bright pebble to content myself with.

I don't think we shall quarrel about a word the subject of our inquiry is too important for that.

I don't think we shall quarrel about a word the subject of our inquiry is too important for that.

I am smart because I know I nothing.

You know that the beginning is the most important part of any work, especially in the case of a young and tender thing; for that is the time at which the character is being formed and the desired impression is more readily taken. Shall we just carelessly allow children to hear any casual tales which may be devised by casual persons, and to receive into their minds ideas for the most part the very opposite of those which we should wish them to have when they are grown up?

You know that the beginning is the most important part of any work, especially in the case of a young and tender thing; for that is the time at which the character is being formed and the desired impression is more readily taken. Shall we just carelessly allow children to hear any casual tales which may be devised by casual persons, and to receive into their minds ideas for the most part the very opposite of those which we should wish them to have when they are grown up?

He who wishes to serve his country must have not only the power to think, but the will to act

You should not honor men more than truth.

He who refuses to rule is liable to be ruled by one who is worse than himself.

He who refuses to rule is liable to be ruled by one who is worse than himself.

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

He who can properly define and divide is to be considered a god.

He that lendeth to another in time of prosperity, shall never want help himself in the time of adversity.

Haven't you noticed that opinion without knowledge is always a poor thing? At the best it is blind—isn't anyone who holds a true opinion without understanding like a blind man on the right road?

He could not harm me, for I do not think it is permitted that a better man be harmed by a worse

Harmony is a symphony, and symphony is an agreement; but an agreement of disagreements while they disagree there cannot be; you cannot harmonize that which disagrees.

Have you not perceived that imitations, whether of bodily gestures, tones of voice, or modes of thought, if they be persevered in from an early age, are apt to grow into habits and a second nature?

Great crimes and pure evil come only from vigorous natures perverted by upbringing; a weak nature never does anything great, good or evil.

God is the cause only of good.

Excellence" is not a gift, but a skill that takes practice. We do not act "rightly" because we are "excellent", in fact we achieve "excellence" by acting "rightly".

Evil is more opposed to the good than to the no-good.