All things are in the act of change; thou thyself in ceaseless transformation and partial decay, and the whole universe with thee.

Keep in mind how fast things pass by and are gone - those that are now, and those to come. Existence flows past us like a river; the "what" is in constant flux, the "why" has a thousand variations. Nothing is stable, not even what's right here. The infinity of past and future gapes before us - a chasm whose depths we cannot see.

Be cheerful, also, and seek not external help, nor the peace which others give. A man must stand straight, and not be kept straight by others.

When force of circumstance upsets your equanimity lose no time in recovering your self-control, and do not remain out of tune longer than you can help. Habitual recurrence to the harmony will increase your mastery of it.

Gluttony and drunkenness have two evils attendant on them; they make the carcass smart, as well as the pocket.

The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.

No one loses any other life than the one he now lives, nor does one live any other life than that which he will lose.