Marcus Aurelius: “Hast thou determined to abide with vice, and hast not experience yet induced thee to fly from this pestilence?”

Throw away thy books; no longer distract thyself: it is not allowed; but as if thou wast now dying, despise the flesh; it is blood and bones and network, a contexture of nerves, veins, and arteries.

Further, he was not fond of change nor unsteady, but he loved to stay in the same places, and to employ himself about the same things; and after his paroxysms of headache he came immediately fresh and vigorous to his usual occupations.

Always run to the short way; and the short way is the natural: accordingly say and do everything in conformity with the soundest reason.

Thou must turn to profit the present by the aid of reason and justice.