What is our nature? To be free, noble, self-respecting. What other animal blushes? What other can have a conception of shame? We must subordinate pleasure to these principles, to minister to them as a servant, to evoke our interests and to keep us in the way of our natural activities.

Men are disturbed, not by things, but by the principles and notions which they form concerning things.

Let silence be your general rule; or say only what is necessary and in few words.

If virtue promises happiness, prosperity and peace, then progress in virtue is progress in each of these for to whatever point the perfection of anything brings us, progress is always and approach toward it.

Never call yourself a philosopher, nor talk a great deal among the unlearned about theorems, but act conformably to them. Thus, at an entertainment, don't talk how persons ought to eat, but eat as you ought. For remember that in this manner Socrates also universally avoided all ostentation.

Appearances to the mind are of four kinds. Things either are what they appear to be; or they neither are, nor appear to be; or they are, and do not appear to be; or they are not, and yet appear to be. Rightly to aim in all these cases is the wise man's task.

God has entrusted me with myself.

If one oversteps the bounds of moderation, the greatest pleasures cease to please.

What is the first business of one who practices philosophy? To get rid of self-conceit. For it is impossible for anyone to begin to learn that which he thinks he already knows.

Remember to act always as if you were at a symposium. When the food or drink comes around, reach out and take some politely; if it passes you by don’t try pulling it back. And if it has not reached you yet, don’t let your desire run ahead of you, be patient until your turn comes.

It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.

Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.

Permit nothing to cleave to you that is not your own; nothing to grow to you that may give you agony when it is torn away.

Nature gave us one tongue and two ears so we could hear twice as much as we speak.

You may be always victorious if you will never enter into any contest where the issue does not wholly depend upon yourself.

Try to enjoy the great festival of life.

As you think, so you become. Avoid superstitiously investing events with power or meanings they don’t have. Keep your head. Our busy minds are forever jumping to conclusions, manufacturing and interpreting signs that aren’t there. Assume, instead, that everything that happens to you does so for some good. That if you decided to be lucky, you are lucky. All events contain an advantage for you- if you look for it

It is difficulties that show what men are.

What makes for freedom and fluency in the practice of writing? Knowledge of how to write. The same goes for the practice of playing an instrument. It follows that, in the conduct of life, there must be a science to living well.

Control thy passions, lest they take vengeance on thee.

Let no man think that he is loved by any who loveth none.

Everything has two handles, one by which it may be borne, the other by which it may not.

Know, first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly.

If you long for your son or your friend [or your partner], when it is not given you to have him, know that you are longing for a fig in winter time.

The good or ill of a man lies within his own will.

When you close your doors, and make darkness within, remember never to say that you are alone, for you are not alone.

Bear in mind that you should conduct yourself in life as at a feast.

If you wish to be well spoken of, learn to speak well of others: and when you have learned to speak well of them, try to act well, and so you will reap the fruit of being well spoken of.

The essence of philosophy is that a man should so live that his happiness shall depend as little as possible on external things.

It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them.