It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.

This is the mark of a perfect character - to pass through each day as though it were the last, without agitation, without torpor, and without pretense.

Stick to what's in front of you - idea, action, utterance.

Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself.

Since you are an integral part of a social system, let every act of yours contribute to the harmonization of social life. Any action that is not related directly or remotely to this social aim disturbs your life, and destroys your unity.

Think of the country mouse and of the town mouse, and of the alarm and trepidation of the town mouse.

A good man does not spy around for the black spots in others, but presses unswervingly on towards his mark.