We need to regularly stop and take stock; to sit down and determine within ourselves which things are worth valuing and which things are not; which risks are worth the cost and which are not. Even the most confusing or hurtful aspects of life can be made more tolerable by clear seeing and by choice.

Give me by all means the shorter and nobler life, instead of one that is longer but of less account!

Bear in mind that you should conduct yourself in life as at a feast.

Give yourself fully to your endeavors. Decide to construct your character through excellent actions and determine to pay the price of a worthy goal. The trials you encounter will introduce you to your strengths.

Only the educated are free.

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

The good or ill of a man lies within his own will.