What difference does it make to you what someone else becomes, or says, or does? You do not need to answer for others, only for yourself.

It is much safer to be subject than it is to command. Many live in obedience more from necessity than from love. Such become discontented and dejected on the slightest pretext; they will never gain peace of mind unless they subject themselves wholeheartedly for the love of God.

Do not be influenced by the importance of the writer, and whether his learning be great or small, but let the love of pure truth draw you to read. Do not inquire, Who said this? but pay attention to what is said.

Love longs to be free, a stranger to every worldly desire, lest its inner vision become dimmed, and lest worldly self-interest hinder it or ill-fortune cast it down.

What else does anxiety about the future bring you but sorrow upon sorrow?

We feel and weigh soon enough what we suffer from others: but how much others suffer from us, of this we take no heed.

Renounce all things, and thou shalt find all things; give up thy lust, and thou shalt find rest.