Nothing happens to any man which he is not formed by nature to bear. The same things happen to another, and either because he does not see that they have happened or because he would show a great spirit he is firm and remains unharmed. It is a shame then that ignorance and conceit should be stronger than wisdom.

Everything is here for a purpose, from horses to vine shoots. What's surprising about that? Even the sun will tell you, "I have a purpose," and the other goods as well.

Life is a warfare and a stranger's sojourn, and after fame is oblivion.

Remember: Matter: how tiny your share of it. Time: how brief and fleeting your allotment of it. Fate: how small a role you play in it.

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.

How easy it is to repel and release every impression which is troublesome and immediately to be tranquil.

Where life is possible at all, a right life is possible; life in a palace is possible; therefore even in a palace a right life is possible.