I must die. I must be imprisoned. I must suffer exile. But must I die groaning? Must I whine as well? Can anyone hinder me from going into exile with a smile? The master threatens to chain me: what say you? Chain me? My leg you will chain--yes, but not my will--no, not even Zeus can conquer that.

If what charms you is nothing but abstract principles, sit down and turn them over quietly in your mind: but never dub yourself a Philosopher.

As a man, casting off worn out garments taketh new ones, so the dweller in the body, entereth into ones that are new.

No man is free who is not master of himself... Is freedom anything else than the power of living as we choose?

Wisdom means understanding without any doubt that circumstances do not rise to meet our expectations. Events happen as they may. People behave as they will.

Try not to react merely in the moment. Pull back from the situation. Take a wider view. Compose yourself.

What matters most is what sort of person you are becoming. Wise individuals care only about whom they are today and who they can be tomorrow.