Marcus Aurelius: “To-day I have got out of all trouble, or rather I have cast out all trouble, for it was not outside, but within and in…”

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.

With respect to that which happens conformably to nature, we ought to blame neither gods, for they do nothing wrong either voluntarily or involuntarily, nor men, for they do nothing wrong except involuntarily.

In the morning when thou risest unwillingly, let this thought be present,--I am rising to the work of a human being.

For he who yields to pain and he who yields to anger, both are wounded and both submit.