Born 384 B.C., died 322 B.C.
Occupation: Philosopher
Nationality: Greek
Whether if soul did not exist time would exist or not, is a question that may fairly be asked; for if there cannot be someone to count there cannot be anything that can be counted, so that evidently there cannot be number; for number is either what has been, or what can be, counted.
Inferiors revolt in order that they may be equal, and equals that they may be superior. Such is the state of mind which creates revolutions.
The beginning of reform is not so much to equalize property as to train the noble sort of natures not to desire more, and to prevent the lower from getting more.
The young are permanently in a state resembling intoxication.
Piety requires us to honor truth above our friends.
The moral virtues, then, are produced in us neither by nature nor against nature. Nature, indeed, prepares in us the ground for their reception, but their complete formation is the product of habit.
It is Homer who has chiefly taught other poets the art of telling lies skillfully.
No notice is taken of a little evil, but when it increases it strikes the eye.
We become just by performing just action, temperate by performing temperate actions, brave by performing brave action.
The gods too are fond of a joke.
It is unbecoming for young men to utter maxims.
He who can be, and therefore is, another's, and he who participates in reason enough to apprehend, but not to have, is a slave by nature.
Hence poetry is something more philosophic and of graver import than history, since its statements are rather of the nature of universals, whereas those of history are singulars.
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.
It is clearly better that property should be private, but the use of it common; and the special business of the legislator is to create in men this benevolent disposition.
No one loves the man whom he fears.
The whole is more than the sum of its parts.
Homer has taught all other poets the art of telling lies skillfully.
Friendship is essentially a partnership.
Most people would rather give than get affection.