Whatever the universal nature assigns to any man at any time is for the good of that man at that time.

The substance of the universe is obedient and compliant; and the reason which governs it has in itself no cause for doing evil, for it has no malice, nor does it do evil to anything, nor is anything harmed by it. But all things are made and perfected according to this reason.

Anything that is beautiful is beautiful just as it is. Praise forms no part of its beauty, since praise makes things neither better nor worse. This applies even more to what it commonly called beautiful: natural objects, for example, or works of art. True beauty has no need of anything beyond itself.

It is a ridiculous thing for a man not to fly from his own badness, which is indeed possible, but to fly from other men's badness, which is impossible.

Receive the gifts of fortune without pride, and part with them without reluctance.

Imagine you were now dead, or had not lived before his moment. Now view the rest of your life as a bonus.

What we do now echoes in eternity.