Everything that happens either happens in such a way as you are formed by nature to bear it, or as you are not formed by nature to bear it.

Does the light of the lamp shine without losing its splendour until it is extinguished; and shall the truth which is in thee and justice and temperance be extinguished before thy death?

Observe always that everything is the result of a change, and get used to thinking that there is nothing Nature loves so well as to change existing forms and to make new ones like them.

All men are made one for another: either then teach them better or bear with them.

In one way an arrow moves, in another way the mind. The mind indeed, both when it exercises caution and when it is employed about inquiry, moves straight onward not the less, and to its object.

Do not act as if you were going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over you. While you live, while it is in your power, be good.

This is enough. Do not add, And why were such things made in the world?