Marcus Aurelius: “Let no act be done without a purpose, nor otherwise than according to the perfect principles of art.”

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

Labor not unwillingly, nor without regard to the common interest, nor without due consideration, nor with distraction; nor let studied ornament set off thy thoughts, and be not either a man of many words, or busy about too many things.

One is that things do not touch the soul, for they are external and remain immovable; but our perturbations come only from the opinion which is within.

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