Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are body, property, reputation, command, and, in one word, whatever are not our own actions.

God has made all men to be happy.

It were no slight attainment could we merely fulfil what the nature of man implies.

It is better to die of hunger having lived without grief and fear, than to live with a troubled spirit, amid abundance

Nothing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig.

If you desire to be good, begin by believing that you are wicked.

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