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

People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.

If evil be spoken of you and it be true, correct yourself, if it be a lie, laugh at it.

If thy brother wrongs thee, remember not so much his wrong-doing, but more than ever that he is thy brother.

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

If you wish to be a writer, write.

Do not seek to bring things to pass in accordance with your wishes, but wish for them as they are, and you will find them.

To accuse others for one's own misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one's education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one's education is complete.

Difficulties are things that show a person what they are.

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

If you seek truth you will not seek victory by dishonorable means, and if you find truth you will become invincible.

Keep silence for the most part, and speak only when you must, and then briefly.

It is not he who reviles or strikes you who insults you, but your opinion that these things are insulting.

It is impossible to begin to learn that which one thinks one already knows.

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

Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire.

No great thing is created suddenly.

You are a little soul carrying around a corpse.

The greater the difficulty the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.

God has entrusted me with myself.