In trying to please other people, we find ourselves misdirected toward what lies outside our sphere of influence. In doing so, we lose our hold on our lifes purpose.

What disturbs people's minds are not events but their judgments on events.

When you let go of your attention for a little while, do not think you may recover it whenever you please.

Suffering arises from trying to control what is uncontrollable, or from neglecting what is within our power.

Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.

If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid with regard to external things. Don't wish to be thought to know anything; and even if you appear to be somebody important to others, distrust yourself. For, it is difficult to both keep your faculty of choice in a state conformable to nature, and at the same time acquire external things. But while you are careful about the one, you must of necessity neglect the other

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