Marcus Aurelius: “As to living in the best way, this power is in the soul, if it be indifferent to things which are indifferent.”

Whatever this is that I am, it is a little flesh and breath, and the ruling part.

There was in him nothing harsh, nor implacable, nor violent, nor, as one may say, anything carried to the sweating point; but he examined all things severally, as if he had abundance of time, and without confusion, in an orderly way…

Be cheerful also, and seek not external help nor the tranquillity which others give.

In the application of thy principles thou must be like the pancratiast, not like the gladiator; for the gladiator lets fall the sword which he uses and is killed; but the other always has his hand, and needs to do nothing else than use it.