Another may be more expert in casting his opponent; but he is not more social, nor more modest, nor better disciplined to meet all that happens, nor more considerate with respect to the faults of his neighbors.
Marcus Aurelius contrasts external skills with internal virtues, emphasizing the greater value of character traits.
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But it is inconsistent with honoring reason and God to be troubled because by death a man will be deprived of the other things.
But if it is easy to set little value on all these things, turn to that which remains, which is to follow reason and God.
But everything else, whether it is in the power of thy will or not, is only lifeless ashes and smoke.
How small a part of the boundless and unfathomable time is assigned to every man, for it is very soon swallowed up in the eternal!
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