Marcus Aurelius: “And how is this accomplished well except by general principles, some about the nature of the universe, and others about…”

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

He was also easy in conversation, and he made himself agreeable without any offensive affectation.

The third, then, is the ruling part; consider thus: Thou art an old man; no longer let this be a slave, no longer be pulled by the strings like a puppet to unsocial movements, no longer be either dissatisfied with thy present lot, or…

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.