The mind in itself wants nothing, unless it creates a want for itself; therefore it is both free from perturbation and unimpeded, if it does not perturb and impede itself.

The blazing fire makes flames and brightness out of everything thrown into it.

If any man despises me, that is his problem. My only concern is not doing or saying anything deserving of contempt.

He who does wrong does wrong against himself. He who acts unjustly acts unjustly to himself, because he makes himself bad.

If you are distressed by something, it is due to your own estimate of it; and you have the power to change it at will.

When you need encouragement, think of the qualities the people around you have: this one's energy, that one's modesty, another's generosity, and so on. Nothing is as encouraging as when virtues are visibly embodied in the people around us, when we're practically showered with them. It's good to keep this in mind.

What is not good for the swarm is not good for the bee.