I am an old man and have had many worries, but most have never come to pass.

A person's worth is measured by the worth of what he values.

Be not unwilling in what thou doest, neither selfish nor unadvised nor obstinate; let not over-refinement deck out thy thought; be not wordy nor a busybody.

When you have been compelled by circumstances to be disturbed in any manner, quickly return to yourself, and do not continue out of tune longer than the compulsion lasts. You will have increasing control over your own harmony by continually returning to it.

Do not waste what remains of your life in speculating about your neighbors, unless with a view to some mutual benefit. To wonder what so-and-so is doing and why, or what he is saying, or thinking, or scheming -- in a word, anything that distracts you from fidelity to the ruler within you -- means a loss of opportunity for some other task.

Search men's governing principles, and consider the wise, what they shun and what they cleave to.

Everything that happens either happens in such a way as you are formed by nature to bear it, or as you are not formed by nature to bear it.