1 - It is difficulties that show what a person is made of.  Epictetus, D1.24 

2 - Don’t act randomly. Do things the right way by understanding the principles behind them. M. Aurelius, M4.3 

3 - Put me in the most magnificent mansion; put me in a place where everyone uses gold and silver plates. I won’t think of myself as important because of these trappings. They are a part of the house, not a part of me. Take me off to Sublician Bridge and throw me among the beggars there. Seneca, On Happiness. 25 

4 - When you face some difficulty, think of yourself as a wrestler. God, as your trainer, has matched you with a tough young opponent. But why? To turn you into Olympic-class material Epictetus, D1.24 

5 - Universe is change. Life is opinion. M. Aurelius, M4.3 

6 - I prefer the splendid mansion to the bridge. Surround me with lavish furnishings and luxurious fixtures. I won’t consider myself even a little bit happier because I have soft clothes and my guests rest on luxurious furniture. Seneca, On Happiness. 25 

7 - The way I see it, no one’s difficulties ever gave him a better test than yours – if you are willing to make use of them the way a wrestler makes use of well-conditioned opponent. Epictetus, D1.24 

8 - Any moment you choose, you can retire within yourself. Nowhere can you go which is more peaceful and more untroubled than your soul. M. Aurelius, M4.3 

9 - Let every day go by as I would like it to, let new congratulations join the old. But I won’t love myself more because of these things Seneca, On Happiness. 25 

10 - What do you do when you leave a ship? Do you take the rudder and oars with you? No, you leave with your own luggage, oil-flask, and wallet. If you remember what belongs to you, you won’t lay claim to what belongs to others. Epictetus, D1.24 

11 - Make the rules of life brief but profound. Practising them often will get rid of all aggravations. M. Aurelius, M4.3 

12 - I have seen to it that no day is a black day for me. What do I say then? I would rather moderate joys than suppress my sorrows. Seneca, On Happiness. 25 

13 - Remember, tragedies take place among the rich and among kings and tyrants. No poor man fills a tragic role except as a member of the chorus. Epictetus, D1.24 

14 - Think how soon it will all be forgotten in the big hole of eternity before us and behind us! M. Aurelius, M4.3 

15 - I will be just as humble when I am driven before another man’s chariot as when stood straight on my own. Seneca, On Happiness. 25 

16 - When you feel weary of the game, say “I will play no more” and depart. If you stay, quit complaining. Epictetus, D1.24 

17 - Note how erratic and arbitrary are those who praise us and how hollow the sound of their applause is. M. Aurelius, M4.3 

18 - Whatever happens to me will become good, but I would prefer to experience things that are more agreeable, pleasant and less difficult to manage. Seneca, On Happiness. 22 

19 - Good and evil arise out of the choices we make; and all else is nothing to us. Epictetus, D1.24 

20 - Remember, then, to take refuge in yourself. Above all, don’t strain and don’t struggle. Be a master of yourself. M. Aurelius, M 4.3 

21 - While there is no reason to assume that you can gain virtue without effort, some virtues need to be encouraged while others need to be controlled. Seneca, On Happiness. 25 

22 - Why are we still anxious? No one has power over things that truly concern us. What they control, we don’t care about. What is there left to worry about? Epictetus, D1.25 

23 - See life as a person, as a human being, as a citizen, as a mortal. M. Aurelius, M4.3 

24 - Just as the body must be held back on a downward slope and forced up a steep slope, certain virtues are on a downward path, while certain others struggle to go uphill. Seneca, On Happiness. 25 

25 - Protect what is yours at all costs. Epictetus, D1.25 

26 - Things can never touch the soul. They stand outside it, unmoving. Worry and anxiety come only from our inner perception. M. Aurelius, M4.3 

27 - When we face poverty, we apply strong virtues that know how to fight. But when we are wealthy, we use gentler virtues that know how to tiptoe without losing their balance Seneca, On Happiness. 25 

28 - Don’t’ crave for things that belong to another. Epictetus, D1.25 

29 - Everything you see will soon change and will be no more. Think about the many changes you have already seen. M. Aurelius, M4.3 

30 - Let me be captured by a proud savage conqueror; let them take me on a carriage and display me in their victory march. I will be just as humble when I am driven before another man’s chariot as when stood straight on my own. Seneca, On Happiness. 25 

 

D = Discourses; M = Meditations 

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