Marcus Aurelius: “Let thy understanding enter into the things that are doing and the things which do them (vii. 4).”

Besides this, he honored those who were true philosophers, and he did not reproach those who pretended to be philosophers, nor yet was he easily led by them.

But if there is a providence which allows itself to be propitiated, make thyself worthy of the help of the divinity.

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

I observed, too, that no man could ever think that he was despised by Maximus, or ever venture to think himself a better man.