Those who excel in virtue have the best right of all to rebel, but then they are of all men the least inclined to do so.

Men create gods after their own image, not only with regard to their form but with regard to their mode of life.

All men make mistakes, but married men find out about them sooner.

The generality of men are naturally apt to be swayed by fear rather than reverence, and to refrain from evil rather because of the punishment that it brings than because of its own foulness.

Choose silence of all virtues, for by it you hear other men's imperfections, and conceal your own.

All men are children, and of one family. The same tale sends them all to bed, and wakes them in the morning.

Men are swayed more by fear than by reverence.

It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood.

Of all religions, the Christian should of course inspire the most tolerance, but until now Christians have been the most intolerant of all men.

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.