In reading and writing, you cannot lay down rules until you have learnt to obey them. Much more so in life.

Turn thy thoughts now to the consideration of thy life, thy life as a child, as a youth, thy manhood, thy old age, for in these also every change was a death. Is this anything to fear?

Purge your mind of all aimless and idle thoughts, especially those that pry into the affairs of others or wish them ill.

Frequently consider the connection of all things in the universe.

Everything - a horse, a vine - is created for some duty... For what task, then, were you yourself created?

Be not unwilling in what thou doest, neither selfish nor unadvised nor obstinate; let not over-refinement deck out thy thought; be not wordy nor a busybody.

What springs from earth dissolves to earth again, and heaven-born things fly to their native seat.