Marcus Aurelius: “What need is there of suspicious fear, since it is in thy power to inquire what ought to be done?”

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.

It is the same whether we examine these things for a hundred years or three.

From thence all things flow; and there is besides necessity, and that which is for the advantage of the whole universe, of which thou art a part.

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