Socrates used to call the opinions of the many by the name of Lamiae, bugbears to frighten children.
Be not careless in deeds, nor confused in words, nor rambling in thought.
How many after being celebrated by fame have been given up to oblivion; and how many who have celebrated the fame of others have long been dead.
Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically and truly all that comes under thy observation in life.
Observe the movements of the stars as if you were running their courses with them, and let your mind constantly dwell on the changes of the elements into each other. Such imaginings wash away the filth of life on the ground.
It is within our power not to make a judgement about something, and so not disturb our minds; for nothing in itself possesses the power to form our judgements.
The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.
Do not indulge in dreams of having what you have not, but reckon up the chief of the blessings you do possess, and then thankfully remember how you would crave for them if they were not yours.
Adapt yourself to the things among which your lot has been cast and love sincerely the fellow creatures with whom destiny has ordained that you shall live.
When jarred, unavoidably, by circumstance revert at once to yourself and don’t lose the rhythm more than you can help. You’ll have a better grasp of harmony if you keep going back to it.
Let men see, let them know, a real man, who lives as he was meant to live.
Withdraw to the untroubled quietude deep within the soul, and refresh yourself.
Anything in any way beautiful derives its beauty from itself and asks nothing beyond itself. Praise is no part of it, for nothing is made worse or better by praise.
Man must be arched and buttressed from within, else the temple wavers to the dust.
Let not your mind run on what you lack as much as on what you have already.
It is in your power to withdraw yourself whenever you desire. Perfect tranquility within consists in the good ordering of the mind, the realm of your own.
If someone can prove me wrong and show me my mistake in any thought or action, I shall gladly change. I seek the truth, which never harmed anyone: the harm is to persist in one’s own self-deception and ignorance.
Be like the rocky headland on which the waves constantly break. It stands firm, and round it the seething waters are laid to rest.
The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.
Treat with utmost respect your power of forming opinions, for this power alone guards you against making assumptions that are contrary to nature and judgments that overthrow the rule of reason.