"I do believe that there are gods, and in a far higher sense than that in which any of my accusers believe in them."

"I honor and love you: but why do you who are citizens of the great and mighty nation care so much about laying up the greatest amount of money and honor And reputation, and so little amount wisdom and truth and the greatest improvement of the soul? Re you not ashamed of these?... I do nothing but go about persuading you all, not to take thought for your persons and your properties, but first and chiefly to care about the greatest improvement of the soul. I tell you that virtue is not given by more, but that from virtue comes money and every other good of man."

"I do believe that there are gods, and in a far higher sense than that in which any of my accusers believe in them."

"Beauty is a short-lived tyranny"

"How can you wonder your travels do you no good, when you carry yourself around with you?"

"And in knowing that you know nothing makes you the smartest of all."

"He who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god."

"I decided that it was not wisdom that enabled [poets] to write their poetry, but a kind of instinct or inspiration, such as you find in seers and prophets who deliver all their sublime messages without knowing in the least what they mean."

"As to marriage or celibacy, let a man take which course he will, he will be sure to repent."

"Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down."

"Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people."