Understand however that every man is worth just so much as the things are worth about which he busies himself.

External things are not the problem. It's your assessment of them. Which you can erase right now.

To my great-grandfather I owed the advice to dispense with the education of the schools and have good masters at home instead - and to realize that no expense should be grudged for this purpose.

Do what you will. Even if you tear yourself apart, most people will continue doing the same things.

For any particular thing, ask: What is it in itself? What is its nature?

Dress not thy thoughts in too fine a raiment. And be not a man of superfluous words or superfluous deeds.

Reflect often upon the rapidity with which all existing things, or things coming into existence, sweep past us and are carried away.