“Practice yourself, for heaven’s sake, in little things; and from these proceed to greater.”
“To accuse others for one’s own misfortunes is a sign of want of education; to accuse oneself shows education has begun.”
“Freedom is the right use of reason.”
“Attach yourself to what is spiritually better, regardless of what people think.”
“If you wish to be good, first believe that you are bad.”
“Do not desire that things happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do.”
“Let silence be your general rule; or say only what is necessary and in few words.”
“When you are delighted with anything, consider what sort of thing it is that you are delighted with.”
“When you are going to undertake some action, remind yourself of what the action is like.”
“Don’t let the force of an impression carry you away; say, “Wait for me a little, impression.””
“If you would improve, be content to be thought ignorant in matters of no consequence.”
“Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.”
“No person is free who is not master of themselves.”
“Everything has two handles: one by which it may be borne, and one by which it may not.”
“It is impossible for a person to begin to learn what he thinks he already knows.”
“Difficulties show a person’s character.”
“Seek not that events should happen as you will, but will them to happen as they do, and you shall have peace.”
“If you kiss your child, or your wife, say that you only kiss a mortal thing.”
“First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.”
“Who then is invincible? He whom nothing that is not his own can disturb.”