I laugh at those who think they can damage me. They do not know who I am, they do not know what I think, they cannot even touch the things which are really mine and with which I live.

When our friends are present we ought to treat them well; and when they are absent, to speak of them well.

We ought to flee the friendship of the wicked, and the enmity of the good.

Either God wants to abolish evil, and cannot; or he can, but does not want to.

To adorn our characters by the charm of an amiable nature shows at once a lover of beauty and a lover of man.

If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: 'He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned.'

Keep your attention focused entirely on what is truly your own concern, and be clear that what belongs to others is their business and none of yours.