Marcus Aurelius: “No longer talk at all about the kind of man that a good man ought to be, but be such.”

And how small a part of the whole substance; and how small a part of the universal soul; and on what a small clod of the whole earth thou creepest!

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.

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

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