You may fetter my leg, but Zeus himself cannot get the better of my free will.

If we are not stupid or insincere when we say that the good or ill of man lies within his own will, and that all beside is nothing to us, why are we still troubled?

When you have decided that a thing ought to be done and are doing it, never avoid bein seen doing it, though many shall form an unfavorable opinion about it. For if it is not right to do it, avoid doing the thing; but if it is right, why are you afraid of those who shall find fault wrongly?

Were I a nightingale, I would act the part of a nightingale; were I a swan, the part of a swan.

It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them.

It is not events that disturb the minds of men, but the view they take of them.

Remember that you are an actor in a drama of such sort as the Author chooses: if short, then in a short one; if long, then in a long one. If it be His pleasure that you should enact a poor man, or a cripple, or a ruler, or a private citizen, see that you act it well. For this is your business, to act well the given part. But to choose it belongs to Another.