Plato

Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.

This City is what it is because our citizens are what they are.

The empty vessel makes the loudest sound.

Poets utter great and wise things which they do not themselves understand.

One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.

...the gods too love a joke.

He who steals a little steals with the same wish as he who steals much, but with less power.

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.

Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.

No man should bring children into the world who is unwilling to persevere to the end in their nature and education.

Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity.

The greatest wealth is to live content with little.

Knowledge is the food of the soul.

Courage is knowing what not to fear.

Love is a serious mental disease.

The object of education is to teach us to love beauty.

Democracy passes into despotism.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

Time is the moving image of reality.

The first and best victory is to conquer self.