If you would be a reader, read; if a writer, write.

The soul is unwillingly deprived of truth.

In theory, there is nothing to hinder our following what we are taught, but in life there are many things to draw us aside.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.