Marcus Aurelius: “Let me see, let them know a real man who lives according to nature.”

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

One is that things do not touch the soul, for they are external and remain immovable; but our perturbations come only from the opinion which is within.

Throw away thy books; no longer distract thyself: it is not allowed; but as if thou wast now dying, despise the flesh; it is blood and bones and network, a contexture of nerves, veins, and arteries.

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.