Marcus Aurelius: “For the greatest part of what we say and do being unnecessary, if a man takes this away, he will have more leisure and…”

Enough of this wretched life and murmuring and apish tricks.

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.

Either there is a fatal necessity and invincible order, or a kind providence, or a confusion without a purpose and without a director (iv. 27).