When you want to hear a philosopher, do not say, 'You say nothing to me'; only show yourself worthy or fit to hear, and then you will see how you will move the speaker.

Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not.

It is impossible that happiness, and yearning for what is not present, should ever be united.

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.

Unremarkable lives are marked by the fear of not looking capable when trying something new.

We can't control the impressions others form about us, and the effort to do so only debases our character.

Don't just say you have read books. Show that through them you have learned to think better, to be a more discriminating and reflective person. Books are the training weights of the mind. They are very helpful, but it would be a bad mistake to suppose that one has made progress simply by having internalized their contents." Translation by Sharon Lebell