It is one thing to remember, another to know. To remember is to safeguard something entrusted to the memory. But to know is to make each thing one's own, not depend on the text and always to look back to the teacher. "Zeno said this, Cleanthes said this." Let there be space between you and the book.

Fine conduct is always spontaneous.

It’s in the very trickery that it pleases me. But show me how the trick is done, and I have lost my interest therein.

We become wiser by adversity; prosperity destroys our appreciation of the right.

If you are bent on assuming a pose and never reveal yourself to anyone frankly, in the fashion of many who live a false life that is all made up for show; for it is torturous to be constantly watching oneself and be fearful of being caught out of our usual role. And we are never free from concern if we think that every time anyone looks at us he is always taking-our measure; for many things happen that strip off our pretence against our will, and, though all this attention to self is successful, yet the life of those who live under a mask cannot be happy and without anxiety.

A man can refrain from wanting what he has not and cheerfully make the best of a bird in the hand.

Nothing is more disgraceful than that an old man should have nothing to show to prove that he has lived long, except his years.