Put it out of the power of truth to give you an ill character. If anybody reports you not to be an honest man let your practice give him the lie.

Do not expect Plato's ideal republic; be satisfied with even the smallest step forward, and consider this no small achievement.

For any particular thing, ask: What is it in itself? What is its nature?

Let it judge that nothing is either bad or good which can happen equally to the bad man and the good. For that which happens equally to him who lives contrary to nature and to him who lives according to nature, is neither according to nature nor contrary to nature.

Neither in thy actions be sluggish nor in thy conversation without method, nor wandering in thy thoughts, nor let there be in thy soul inward contention nor external effusion, nor in life be so busy as to have no leisure.

Everything that happens happens as it should, and if you observe carefully, you will find this to be so.

Why should anyone be afraid of change? What can take place without it? What can be more pleasing or more suitable to universal nature? Can you take your bath without the firewood undergoing a change? Can you eat without the food undergoing a change? And can anything useful be done without change? Don't you see that for you to change is just the same, and is equally necessary for universal nature?