The wise realize that some things are within their control, and most things are not. They learn early on to distinguish between what they can and can't regulate.

You are but an appearance, and not absolutely the thing you appear to be.

If you think you control things that are in the control of others, you will lament. You will be disturbed and you will blame both gods and men.

We must be afraid of neither poverty nor exile nor imprisonment; of fear itself only should we be afraid.

If you do not wish to be prone to anger, do not feed the habit; give it nothing which may tend to its increase. At first, keep quiet and count the days when you were not angry: "I used to be angry every day, then every other day: next, every two, then every three days!" and if you succeed in passing thirty days, sacrifice to the gods in thanksgiving.

Common and vulgar people ascribe all ills that they feel to others; people of little wisdom ascribe to themselves; people of much wisdom, to no one.

Avoid banquets which are given by strangers an ignorant persons. But if there is ever occasion to join them, let your attention be carefully fixed, that you slip not into the manner of the vulgar (the uninstructed).