Not being able to govern events, I govern myself, and apply myself to them if they will not apply themselves to me.

To forbid us anything is to make us have a mind to 't.

We can be knowledgeable with other men's knowledge, but we cannot be wise with other men's wisdom.

A man may by custom fortify himself against pain, shame, and suchlike accidents; but as to death, we can experience it but once, and are all apprentices when we come to it

The advantage of living is not measured by length, but by use; some men have lived long, and lived little; attend to it while you are in it. It lies in your will, not in the number of years, for you to have lived enough.

Friendship is the highest degree of perfection in society.

If I can, I shall keep my death from saying anything that my life has not already said.