Ordinary people seem not to realize that those who really apply themselves in the right way to philosophy are directly and of their own accord preparing themselves for dying and death.

A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true.

I only wish that ordinary people had an unlimited capacity for doing harm; then they might have an unlimited power for doing good.

No evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after death. He and his are not neglected by the gods.

By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.

Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm and constant.

One who is injured ought not to return the injury, for on no account can it be right to do an injustice; and it is not right to return an injury, or to do evil to any man, however much we have suffered from him.

It is not living that matters, but living rightly.

Be as you wish to seem.

I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing.

If all misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be contented to take their own and depart.

The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.

Let him that would move the world first move himself.

The end of life is to be like God, and the soul following God will be like Him.

Beauty is a short-lived tyranny.