Marcus Aurelius: “In like manner view also the other epochs of time and of whole nations, and see how many after great efforts soon fell…”

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…

Besides this, he honored those who were true philosophers, and he did not reproach those who pretended to be philosophers, nor yet was he easily led by them.

In the morning when thou risest unwillingly, let this thought be present,--I am rising to the work of a human being.