It were no slight attainment could we merely fulfil what the nature of man implies.

No living being is held by anything so strongly as by its own needs. Whatever therefore appears a hindrance to these, be it brother, or father, or child, or mistress, or friend, is hated, abhorred, execrated.

Remember that you ought to behave in life as you would at a banquet. As something is being passed around, it comes to you; stretch out your hand, take a portion of it politely. It passes on; do not detain it. Or it has not come to you yet; do not project your desire to meet it, but wait until it comes in front of you.

What is it to be a philosopher? Is it not to be prepared against events?

Wherever any one is against his will, that is to him a prison.

To a reasonable creature, that alone is insupportable which is unreasonable; but everything reasonable may be supported.

Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire.

You will fetter my leg, but not Zeus himself can get the better of my free will.

What, will the world be quite overturned when you die?

When you have shut your doors and darkened your room, remember, never to say that you are alone; for you are not alone, but God is within, and your genius is within.