"If you pin your hopes on things outside your control, taking upon yourself things which rightfully belong to others, you are liable to stumble, fall, suffer, and blame both gods and men."

"If you are struck by the appearance of any pleasure, guard yourself against being carried away by it; but let the thing wait for you, and allow yourself a short delay. Then think of two times: a time …"

"If you wish to be good, first believe that you are bad."

"If a man does not know to what port he is sailing, no wind is favorable."

"Remember that if you are doing something for your own good, you must not be ashamed of it, even if the mob is going to misinterpret it."