"You will do the greatest service to the state if you shall raise, not the roofs of the houses, but the souls of the citizens: for it is better that great souls should dwell in small houses rather than…"

"Freedom isn't secured by filling up on your heart's desire but by removing your desire."

"Don't seek to have things happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do happen, and all will be well with you."

"When you have said 'Tomorrow I will begin to attend,' you must be told that you are saying this: 'Today I will be shameless, disregardful of time and place, mean; it will be in the power of others to …"

"If you wish to improve, be content to appear foolish or stupid."