From my mother, piety and beneficence, and abstinence, not only from evil deeds, but even from evil thoughts; and further, simplicity in my way of living, far removed from the habits of the rich.
Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.
Constantly regard the universe as one living being, having one substance and one soul; and observe how all things have reference to one perception, the perception of this one living being; and how all things act with one movement; and how all things are the cooperating causes of all things which exist.
Marcus Aurelius·180 ADIt never ceases to amaze me: we all love ourselves more than other people, but care more about their opinions than our own.
Seneca·65 ADYou should rather please yourself than the people; take thought for the quality, not the number, of judgements made about you.
Zhuangzi·-300 ADThough the whole world should praise him, he would not be stimulated to greater endeavour, and though the whole world should condemn him, he would not be depressed. So fixed was he in the difference between the internal judgement of himself and the external judgement of others.
