Freedom and happiness come from understanding - and working with - our limits. Begin at once a program of self-mastery. Stick with your purpose. Do not seek external approval. Do not worry about anything outside of your control. The only things you command are your thoughts and actions. We choose our response. Stop aspiring to be anyone other than your own best self: for that does fall within your control.

Be careful whom you associate with. It is human to imitate the habits of those with whom we interact. We inadvertently adopt their interests, their opinions, their values, and their habit of interpreting events.

Freedom and happiness are won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.

Ruin and recovering are both from within.

When you are offended at any man's fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger.

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.