A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side.

All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move.

-Benjamin Franklin

Nothing but heaven itself is better than a friend who is really a friend.

-Plautus

Discretion of speech is more than eloquence, and to speak agreeably to him with whom we deal is more than to speak in good words, or in good order.

-Francis Bacon

A man is already halfway in love with any woman who listens to him.

-Brendan Francis

There are only two people who can tell you the truth about yourself – an enemy who has lost his temper and a friend who loves you dearly.

-Antisthenes

The key to wisdom is this – constant and frequent questioning, for by doubting we are led to question and by questioning we arrive at the truth.

-Peter Abelard

Everything has a natural explanation. The moon is not a god, but a great rock, and the sun a hot rock.

-Anaxagoras

If we admit a thing so extraordinary as the creation of this world, it should seem that we admit something strange, and odd, and new to human apprehension, beyond any other miracle whatsoever.

-George Berkeley

The most excellent and divine counsel, the best and most profitable advertisement of all others, but the least practiced, is to study and learn how to know ourselves. This is the foundation of wisdom and the highway to whatever is good.

-Pierre Charron