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

Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire.

God has made all men to be happy.

Sickness is a hindrance to the body, but not to your ability to choose, unless that is your choice. Lameness is a hindrance to the leg, but not to your ability to choose. Say this to yourself with regard to everything that happens, then you will see such obstacles as hindrances to something else, but not to yourself.

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

Does a man reproach thee for being proud or ill-natured, envious or conceited, ignorant or detracting? Consider with thyself whether his reproaches are true. If they are not, consider that thou art not the person whom he reproaches, but that he reviles an imaginary being, and perhaps loves what thou really art, though he hates what thou appearest to be.

To get or not to get what we desire can be equally disappointing.