"Consider the past—a change of empires, and you may foresee the future. For it will be the same kind of thing, and it is impossible for things to deviate from the present order: wherefore to contemplat…"

"Observe constantly that all things take place by change, and accustom thyself to consider that the nature of the Universe loves nothing so much as to change existing things and to make new things like…"

"You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think."

"Do not act as if you were going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over you. While you live, while it is in your power, be good."

"Ask yourself: Is this necessary?"