Quotes about Philosophy

The true end of tragedy is to purify the passions.

Happiness is prosperity combined with virtue.

Time is not composed of indivisible nows any more than any other magnitude is composed of indivisibles.

The truly good and wise man will bear all kinds of fortune in a seemly way, and will always act in the noblest manner that the circumstances allow.

To those who cite the disreputable sorts of pleasure one may fairly reply that these are not really pleasant. For we ought not, because they are pleasant to the wrongly disposed, to think they are generally pleasant, or to any but these; just as things that are wholesome or sweet or bitter to the sick, are not so to all, and as things are not really white that seem so to those suffering from opthalmia.

But tangible differ from visible and sonorous impressions, in that the latter are perceived by the medium acting in some way upon us, while the former are perceived, not by, but together with, the medium, like a man who is struck through his shield--for it is not the shield which, having been struck, strikes him, but the shield and he are simultaneously struck together.

Happiness consists in the consciousness of a life in which the highest Virtue is actively manifested.

If happiness is activity in accordance with excellence, it is reasonable that it should be in accordance with the highest excellence.

While both [Plato and truth] are dear, piety requires us to honor truth above our friends.

If one way be better than another, that you may be sure is Nature's way.

The state comes into existence for the sake of life and continues to exist for the sake of good life.

But if nothing but soul, or in soul mind, is qualified to count, it is impossible for there to be time unless there is soul, but only that of which time is an attribute, i.e. if change can exist without soul.