In the life of a man, his time is but a moment, his being an incessant flux, his sense a dim rushlight, his body a prey of worms, his soul an unquiet eddy, his fortune dark, his fame doubtful. In short, all that is body is as coursing waters, all that is of the soul as dreams and vapors.

Because a thing seems difficult for you, do not think it impossible for anyone to accomplish.

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

Is any man afraid of change? Why what can take place without change? What then is more pleasing or more suitable to the universal nature?

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

He that lives alone lives in danger; society avoids many dangers.

Most of what we say and do is unnecessary: remove the superfluity, and you will have more time and less bother. So in every case one should prompt oneself: 'Is this, or is it not, something necessary?' And the removal of the unnecessary should apply not only to actions but to thoughts also: then no redundant actions either will follow.