Nothing lasts forever, few things even last for long: all are susceptible of decay in one way or another; moreover all that begins also ends. |
Of course, however, the living voice and the intimacy of a common life will help you more than the written word. You must go to the scene of action, first, because men put more faith in their eyes than in their ears, and second, because the way is long if one follows precepts, but short and helpful, if one follows patterns. |
Of war men ask the outcome, not the cause. |
Our feeling about every obligation depends in each case upon the spirit in which the benefit is conferred; we weigh not the bulk of the gift, but the quality of the good-will which prompted it. |
Our minds must have relaxation: rested, they will rise up better and keener. Just as we must not force fertile fields (for uninterrupted production will quickly exhaust them), so continual labor will break the power of our minds. They will recover their strength, however, after they have had a little freedom and relaxation. |
Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbour he is making for, no wind is the right wind. |
Remember, however, before all else, to strip things of all that disturbs and confuses, and to see what each is at bottom; you will then comprehend that they contain nothing fearful except the actual fear. |
Should I be surprised that dangers which have always surrounded me should at last attack me? A great part of mankind, when about to sail, do not think of a storm. I shall never be ashamed of a reporter of bad news in a good cause. |
That man lives badly who does not know how to die well. |
That most knowing of persons – gossip. |
The best ideas are common property. |
The old Romans had a custom which survived even into my lifetime. They would add to the opening words of a letter: "If you are well, it is well; I also am well." Persons like ourselves would do well to say. "If you are studying philosophy, it is well." For this is just what "being well" means. Without philosophy the mind is sickly. |
The shortest way to wealth is through the contempt of wealth. |
The wise man will live as long as he ought, not as long as he can. |
There is no great genius without some touch of madness. |
Things ’twas hard to bear ’tis pleasant to recall. |
This is the worst trait of minds rendered arrogant by prosperity, they hate those whom they have injured. |
Treat your inferiors as you would be treated by your betters. |
Unjust rule never abides continually. |
Valor withers without adversity. |
