We are not to lead events, but to follow them.

It is the part of an uneducated person to blame others where he himself fares ill; to blame himself is the part of one whose education has begun; to blame neither another nor his own self is the part of one whose education is already complete.

I must die. Must I then die lamenting? I must be put in chains. Must I then also lament? I must go into exile. Does any man then hinder me from going with smiles and cheerfulness and contentment?

Do not strive for things occurring to occur as you wish, but wish the things occurring as they occur, and you will flow well.

Common and vulgar people ascribe all ills that they feel to others; people of little wisdom ascribe to themselves; people of much wisdom, to no one.

To a longer and worse life, a shorter and better is by all means to be preferred.

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.