What really frightens and dismays us is not external events themselves, but the way in which we think about them. It is not things that disturb us, but our interpretation of their significance.

Some things are up to us [eph' hêmin] and some things are not up to us. Our opinions are up to us, and our impulses, desires, aversions–in short, whatever is our own doing. Our bodies are not up to us, nor are our possessions, our reputations, or our public offices, or, that is, whatever is not our own doing.

The flourishing life cannot be achieved until we moderate our desires and see how superficial and fleeting they are.

The world turns aside to let any man pass who knows where he is going.

In theory there is nothing to hinder our following what we are taught;but in life there are many things to draw us aside.

When your thoughts, words, and deeds form a seamless fabric, you streamline your efforts and thus eliminate worry and dread.

We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.