"The greater part of what we say and do is unnecessary, and if a man would cut it out, he would have more leisure and less disturbance."

"First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do."

"Seek not to have things happen as you wish, but wish things to happen as they do, and you will have peace."

"It is a universal law — have no illusion — that every creature alive is attached to nothing so much as to its own self-interest."

"You will be an admirable person, if you care for nothing but your own will."