We have two ears and only one tongue in order that we may hear more and speak less.
The only good is knowledge and the only evil ignorance.
Of a rich man who was mean and niggardly he said “That man does hot possess his estate but his estate possesses him.”
Thales was asked what was most difficult to man he answered: “To know one’s self.”
The sun, too, shines into cesspools and is not polluted.
When I look upon seamen, men of science and philosophers, man is the wisest of all beings; when I look upon priests and prophets nothing is as contemptible as man.
Why not whip the teacher when the pupil misbehaves?
Those who have virtue always in their mouths, and neglect it in practice, are like a harp, which emits a sound pleasing to others, while itself is insensible of the music.
Man is the most intelligent of the animals – and the most silly.
As a matter of self-preservation, a man needs good friends or ardent enemies, for the former instruct him and the latter take him to task.
What I like to drink most is wine that belongs to others.
Wise kings generally have wise counselors and he must be a wise man himself who is capable of distinguishing one.
Most men are within a finger’s breadth of being mad.
I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.