Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.
No man is free who is not master of himself.
If anyone tells you that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make excuses about what is said of you but answer, "He was ignorant of my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these alone.
It is our attitude toward events, not events themselves, which we can control. Nothing is by its own nature calamitous -- even death is terrible only if we fear it.
What really frightens and dismays us is not external events themselves, but the way in which we think about them. It is not things that disturb us, but our interpretation of their significance.
Whoever is going to listen to the philosophers needs a considerable practice in listening.
When any person harms you, or speaks badly of you, remember that he acts or speaks from a supposition of its being his duty. Now, it is not possible that he should follow what appears right to you, but what appears so to himself.
An ignorant person is inclined to blame others for his own misfortune. To blame oneself is proof of progress.
As a man, casting off worn out garments taketh new ones, so the dweller in the body, entereth into ones that are new.
The first and most important field of philosophy is the application of principles such as “Do not lie.” Next come the proofs, such as why we should not lie.
God save me from fools with a little philosophy—no one is more difficult to reach.
For in this Case, we are not to give Credit to the Many, who say, that none ought to be educated but the Free; but rather to the Philosophers, who say, that the Well-educated alone are free.
Philosophy does not claim to secure for us anything outside our control. Otherwise it would be taking on matters that do not concern it.
What would have become of Hercules do you think if there had been no lion, hydra, stag or boar - and no savage criminals to rid the world of? What would he have done in the absence of such challenges?
Is it not the same distance to God everywhere?,It is much better to die of hunger unhindered by grief and fear than to live affluently beset with worry, dread, suspicion and unchecked desire.
