Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.

You can commit injustice by doing nothing.

To live happily is an inward power of the soul.

That which is not good for the bee-hive cannot be good for the bees.

Whatever happens to you has been waiting to happen since the beginning of time.

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.

Straight, not straightened.

Confine yourself to the present.

Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart.

Treat whatever happens as wholly natural; not novel or hard to deal with; but familiar and easily handled.

So I look for the best and am prepared for the opposite.

In a word, if there is a god, all is well; and if chance rules, do not also be governed by it.

Consider that before long you will be nobody and nowhere, nor will any of the things exist that you now see, nor any of those who are now living. For all things are formed by nature to change and be turned and to perish in order that other things in continuous succession may exist.

Be content with what you are, and wish not change; nor dread your last day, nor long for it.

I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinions of himself than on the opinions of others.

When you have assumed these names – good, modest, truthful, rational, a man of equanimity, and magnanimous – take care that you do not change these names; and if you should lose them, quickly return to them.

Receive without pride, let go without attachment. 

Is any man afraid of change? What can take place without change? What then is more pleasing or more suitable to the universal nature? And can you take a hot bath unless the wood for the fire undergoes a change? And can you be nourished unless the food undergoes a change? And can anything else that is useful be accomplished without change? Do you not see then that for yourself also to change is just the same, and equally necessary for the universal nature?

A man when he has done a good act, does not call out for others to come and see, but he goes on to another act, as a vine goes on to produce again the grapes in season.

As the same fire assumes different shapes when it consumes objects differing in shape, so does the one self take the shape of every creature in whom he is present.

For God’s sake, stop honouring externals, quit turning yourself into the tool of mere matter, or of people who can supply you or deny you those material things.

Receive wealth or prosperity without arrogance; and be ready to let it go.

Almost nothing material is needed for a happy life, for he who has understood existence.

You’re subject to sorrow, fear, jealousy, anger and inconsistency. That’s the real reason you should admit that you are not wise.