Someone else's sadness is something foreign...
Look at me. I have no civil rights, no house, no money, no slaves. I sleep on the bare ground. I have no wife, children, bedding. Only earth and sky and this one mantle. What am I missing? Am I not free? I am my own emperor and master.
Can you say that a man is a carpenter or a musician if he holds an ax or a lute? Likewise, one cannot call someone wise just because he speaks wise words.
Only the one to whom everything happens as he wants can be called free. But does this mean that everything that crosses his mind happens to him? Not at all. Because grammar, for example, teaches us to write with letters and words everything we want, but for writing my name I can't write what letters cross my mind... I am obliged to write exactly those letters that are needed, and in the order necessary. And so it is in everything.
We must always remember that we cannot dictate events, but are obliged to agree with them.
The state and characteristic of the ignorant: never to expect from himself either useful or harmful things, but only from outside. The state and appropriation of the philosopher: every benefit and every harm awaits him only from himself.
A father's harshness is a wonderful remedy: there is more sweetness in it than bitterness.
What not to do, don't even think about doing it.
A school of philosophy is like a hospital, and you must leave it not cheerfully, but relieved of pain.
To listen, listen to everything, but do not rush to trust.
Friends are many, but friendship is rare.
The name "friend" is heard at every step, only friendly loyalty is rare.
If you are tempted by something foreign, it means to deprive yourself of what belongs to you.
We learn from examples.
The mistakes of others are useful to the prudent.
When the powerful fight among themselves, it turns out badly for the common people.
The success of the wicked is a temptation to many. With the change of ruler, nothing changes for the poor except the name of the master.
He who does a service to a scoundrel commits a double wrong: in the first place he helps one who deserves no help, and in the second place he exposes himself to danger.
Reason is above valor.
Hastily shakes off the fleeting flower of life.
To sing your words from the heart.
Virtue is praised but dying.
Childhood must be respected to the utmost.
Wisdom says nothing against nature.
The wise man keeps measure even in respectable affairs.
No virtue redeems vices.
No delay is too long when it comes to the death of a man.
The first punishment for the guilty is that he cannot justify himself before his own judgement.
Bad people avoid mistakes for fear of punishment, good people - for love of virtue.
Know yourself.