Citing both the Buddha and Aristotle, Sachs makes the case for a "middle path," a path of moderation and balance between work and non-work (what he calls, quaintly in this day and age, "leisure"), savings and consumption, self-interest and compassion, individualism and citizenship.

The interesting thing about this work is that we don't really do anything for them. If we tried, I think, we would fail miserably. Instead we invite them to do something radically new for themselves

Never build your emotional life on the weaknesses of others.

We must look for ways to be an active force in our own lives.

Insist on yourself; never imitate. Your own gift you can present every moment with the cumulative force of a whole life's cultivation; but of the adopted talent of another you have only an extemporaneous half possession.

For better or worse, you must play your own little instrument in the orchestra of life.

Look within. Within is the fountain of the good, and it will ever bubble up, if thou wilt ever dig.

Let it be your constant method to look into the design of people's actions, and see what they would be at, as often as it is practicable and to make this custom the more significant, practice it first upon yourself.

Popular art is the dream of society it does not examine itself.

Take heed to yourselves, lest you perish while you call upon others to take heed of perishing, and lest you famish yourselves while you prepare their food.

No law can be sacred to me but that of my nature. Good and bad are but names very readily transferable to that or this.

Insist upon yourself. Be original.