“We must exercise ourselves in the things which bring happiness; since, if that be present, we have everything.”
“No pleasure is in itself evil; but the things which produce certain pleasures entail annoyances many times greater than the pleasures themselves.”
“Self-sufficiency is the greatest of all wealth.”
“Don't fear god; don't worry about death; what is good is easy to get; and what is terrible is easy to endure.”
“The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you.”
“Seek not that the things which happen should happen as you wish; but wish the things which happen to be as they are.”
“Be silent for the most part; or, if you speak, say only what is necessary.”
“If you want to improve, be content to be thought ignorant or stupid in extraneous matters.”
“It is not events that disturb people, but their judgments concerning them.”
“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.”
“No great thing is created suddenly.”
“Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.”
“Do not explain your philosophy. Embody it.”
“If you seek truth, you will not seek victory by dishonorable means.”
“The beginning of philosophy is the consciousness of one’s own weakness and inability.”
“If you wish to be good, first believe that you are bad.”
“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.”
“No man is free who is not master of himself.”
“If you would improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.”
“Everything has two handles, one by which it may be carried, the other by which it cannot.”