So long as the people do not care to exercise their freedom, those who wish to tyrannize will do so; for tyrants are active and ardent, and will devote themselves in the name of any number of gods, religious and otherwise, to put shackles upon sleeping men.
The safest course is to do nothing against one's conscience. With this secret, we can enjoy life and have no fear from death.
Fear could never make virtue.
Fear follows crime and is its punishment.