Who himself is not the cause of his own unrest? Reflect how no one is hampered by any other; and that all is as thinking makes it so.

Your ability to control your thoughts—treat it with respect. It's all that protects your mind from false perceptions—false to your nature, and that of all rational beings. It's what makes thoughtfulness possible, and affection for other people, and submission to the divine.

What, then, should we strive for in life? Right thoughts, beneficial actions, honest speech, and a cheerful disposition. These things are in harmony with, and flow from, the eternal Source of all.

Nothing that goes on in anyone else's mind can harm you. Nor can the shifts and changes in the world around you. —Then where is harm to be found? In your capacity to see it.

Don't stray, but do what's right whenever you're moved to act, and stick with what's clear and certain whenever you think.

If you are distressed about anything, the pain is not one to the thing but to your own estimate to it.

How plain does it appear that there is not another condition of life so well suited for philosophising as this in which thou now happenest to be.

Dig deep within yourself, for there is a fountain of goodness ever ready to flow if you will keep digging.

Reason is free from hatred, has no desire to harm anyone or anything, and will never direct you to do evil. Reason works to the benefit of all things.

O imagination, go away, I intreat thee by the gods, as thou didst come, for I want thee not. But thou art come according to thy old fashion. I am not angry with thee: only go away.

It is in our power to have no opinion about a thing.

Throw away your books; no longer distract yourself: it is not allowed.