Aristotle

The investigation of the truth is in one way hard, in another easy. An indication of this is found in the fact that no one is able to attain the truth adequately, while, on the other hand, no one fails entirely, but everyone says something true about the nature of things, and while individually they contribute little or nothing to the truth, by the union of all a considerable amount is amassed.

The greatest thing by far is to be a master of metaphor. It is the one thing that cannot be learnt from others; and it is also a sign of genius, since a good metaphor implies an intuitive perception of the similarity in dissimilars.

The natural state of rest is motion.

The life of money-making is one undertaken under compulsion, and wealth is evidently not the good we are seeking; for it is merely useful and for the sake of something else.

Tolerance and apathy are the last virtues of a dying society.

The only way to avoid criticism is to do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.

To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.

The friend of all is a friend to none.

Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit.

Inferiors revolt in order that they may be equal, and equals that they may be superior.

A likely impossibility is always preferable to an unconvincing possibility.

It is well to be informed about the reasons for others' beliefs, but it is not necessary to adopt them.

The educated differ from the uneducated as much as the living from the dead.

The wise man does not expose himself to danger more than he should, since there are few things for which he cares enough; but he is willing in great crises to give even his life, knowing that under certain conditions it is not worthwhile to live.

The good of man must be the end of the science of politics.

The best political community is formed by citizens of the middle class.

Man, when perfected, is the best of animals, but when separated from law and justice, he is the worst of all.

The true democrat is he who is not afraid to speak his mind.

The soul is the form of a natural body having life potentially within it.

The human soul is a divine thing.