Plutarch

It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything.

Seeing the lightest and gayest purple was then most in fashion, he would always wear that which was the nearest black; and he would often go out of doors, after his morning meal, without either shoes or tunic; not that he sought vain-glory from such novelties, but he would accustom himself to be ashamed only of what deserves shame, and to despise all other sorts of disgrace.

Nature without learning is like a blind man; learning without Nature, like a maimed one; practice without both, incomplete. As in agriculture a good soil is first sought for, then a skilful husbandman, and then good seed; in the same way nature corresponds to the soil, the teacher to the husbandman, precepts and instruction to the seed.

It is a hard matter, my fellow citizens, to argue with the belly, since it has no ears.

It is not the most distinguished achievements that men's virtues or vices may be best discovered; but very often an action of small note. An casual remark or joke shall distinguish a person's real character more than the greatest sieges, or the most important battles.

Authority and place demonstrate and try the tempers of men, by moving every passion and discovering every frailty.

Learn to be pleased with everything...because it could always be worse, but isn't!

There are two sentences inscribed upon the Ancient oracle... "Know thyself" and "Nothing too much"; and upon these all other precepts depend.

It is a true proverb, that if you live with a lame man, you will learn to limp.

As geographers, Sosius, crowd into the edges of their maps parts of the world which they do not know about, adding notes in the margin to the effect that beyond this lies nothing but sandy deserts full of wild beasts, and unapproachable bogs.

When the strong box contains no more both friends and flatterers shun the door.

Nothing is harder to direct than a man in prosperity; nothing more easily managed that one is adversity.

Moral habits, induced by public practices, are far quicker in making their way into men's private lives, than the failings and faults of individuals are in infecting the city at large.

If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.

Medicine to produce health must examine disease; and music, to create harmony must investigate discord.

The omission of good is no less reprehensible than the commission of evil.

Silence at the proper season is wisdom, and better than any speech.

Neither blame or praise yourself.

To find fault is easy; to do better may be difficult.

Prosperity is no just scale; adversity is the only balance to weigh friends.

We ought not to treat living creatures like shoes or household belongings, which when worn with use we throw away.