If I was a nightingale I would sing like a nightingale; if a swan, like a swan. But since I am a rational creature my role is to praise God.

What is yours is to play the assigned part well. But to choose it belongs to someone else

As in walking it is your great care not to run your foot upon a nail, or to tread awry, and strain your leg; so let it be in all the affairs of human life, not to hurt your mind or offend your judgment. And this rule, if observed carefully in all your deportment, will be a mighty security to you in your undertakings.

Preach not to others what they should eat, but eat as becomes you and be silent.

In prosperity it is very easy to find a friend; but in adversity it is the most difficult of all things.

Nothing is in reality either pleasant or unpleasant by nature but all things become so through habit

Whoever wants to be free, therefore, let him not want or avoid anything that is up to others. Otherwise he will necessarily be a slave.