Marcus Aurelius: “Now a man should take away not only unnecessary acts, but also unnecessary thoughts, for thus superfluous acts will not…”

With respect to that which happens conformably to nature, we ought to blame neither gods, for they do nothing wrong either voluntarily or involuntarily, nor men, for they do nothing wrong except involuntarily.

He was accustomed to do acts of beneficence, and was ready to forgive, and was free from all falsehood; and he presented the appearance of a man who could not be diverted from right, rather than of a man who had been improved.

How ridiculous and what a stranger he is who is surprised at anything which happens in life.

But if there is a providence which allows itself to be propitiated, make thyself worthy of the help of the divinity.