“In my judgment, excellence and wealth are direct opposites, since when...” — Apollonius of Tyana Quote

“In my judgment, excellence and wealth are direct opposites, since when the one shrinks, the other grows, and when one grows, the other shrinks.”

“Do not consider that to be wealth which is hoarded away, for how is it better than sand gathered from the nearest heap? Nor that which comes in from men who groan at their taxes: for the gold that is wrung from tears is of base alloy and black.”

“Virtue comes by nature, learning, and practice, and thanks to virtue, all of the aforesaid may deserve approval.”

“Of my English friends, I should find language too poor to speak the just praise and the excellence which shines in their characters and lives.”

“The fact that my songs take a long time to write is no guarantee of their excellence.”

“When a book raises your spirit, and inspires you with noble and manly thoughts, seek for no other test of its excellence. It is good, and made by a good workman.”