All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.

Body

It is a sign of a dull nature to occupy oneself deeply in matters that concern the body; for instance, to be over much occupied about exercise, about eating and drinking, about easing oneself, about sexual intercourse.

Critics and Criticism

If evil be spoken of you and it be true, correct yourself, if it be a lie, laugh at it.

Difficulties

Difficulties are things that show a person what they are.

Egotism

What will the world be quite overturned when you die?

Freedom

No man is free who is not a master of himself.

Happiness

Whoever does not regard what he has as most ample wealth, is unhappy, though he be master of the world.

Knowledge

Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.

Listening

Nature gave us one tongue and two ears so we could hear twice as much as we speak.

Patience

The two powers which in my opinion constitute a wise man are those of bearing and forbearing.

Philosophers and Philosophy

If you set your heart upon philosophy, you must straightway prepare yourself to be laughed at and mocked by many who will say Behold a philosopher arisen among us! or How came you by that brow of scorn? But do you cherish no scorn, but hold to those things which seem to you the best, as one set by God in that place. Remember too, that if you abide in those ways, those who first mocked you, the same shall afterwards reverence you; but if you yield to them, you will be laughed at twice as much as before.

Soul

The soul's impurity consists in bad judgments, and purification consists in producing in it right judgments, and the pure soul is one which has right judgments.

Truth

A man that seeks truth and loves it must be reckoned precious to any human society.