Marcus Aurelius: “What then can these things do to prevent thy mind from remaining pure, wise, sober, just?”

But everything else, whether it is in the power of thy will or not, is only lifeless ashes and smoke.

Depart then satisfied, for he also who releases thee is satisfied.

There is one light of the sun, though it is interrupted by walls, mountains, and other things infinite.

But intellect in a peculiar manner tends to that which is of the same kin, and combines with it, and the feeling for communion is not interrupted.