We strive to further the occurrence of whatever we imagine will lead to Joy, and to avert or destroy what we imagine is contrary to it, or will lead to Sadness.

Those who know the true use of money, and regulate the measure of wealth according to their needs, live contented with few things.

Ceremonies are no aid to blessedness.

Happiness is not the reward of virtue, but is virtue itself; nor do we delight in happiness because we restrain from our lusts; but on the contrary, because we delight in it, therefore we are able to restrain them.

He that can carp in the most eloquent or acute manner at the weakness of the human mind is held by his fellows as almost divine.

I call him free who is led solely by reason.

Simply from the fact that we have regarded a thing with the emotion of pleasure or pain, though that thing be not the efficient cause of the emotion, we can either love or hate it.