Death smiles at us all, all a man can do is smile back.

Observe the movements of the stars as if you were running their courses with them, and let your mind constantly dwell on the changes of the elements into each other. Such imaginings wash away the filth of life on the ground.

When men hate or blame you, or say hurtful things about you, look deeply into their hearts and see what kind of men they are. You'll see how unnecessary it is to strain after their good opinion. Yet you must still think kindly of them. they are your neighbors. The gods help them as they do you, by dreams and oracles, to win their hearts' desires.

Be like the cliff against which the waves continually break; but it stands firm and tames the fury of the water around it.

...if a man comes to his fortieth year, and has any understanding at all, he has virtually seen - thanks to their similarity - all possible happenings, both past and to come.

To live each day as though one's last, never flustered, never apathetic, never attitudinizing - here is the perfection of character.

Always take the short cut; and that is the rational one. Therefore say and do everything according to soundest reason.