1. Is there any storm that is more powerful than impressions that drive out reason? [Epictetus, D2.17]
2. I choose to live in accordance with nature as a reasonable member of a social community. [Marcus Aurelius, M5.35]
3. Direct all your efforts toward some purpose, and keep that aim in sight. [Seneca, T12]
4. “Make a bad beginning and you’ll contend with troubles ever after.” Hesiod. [Epictetus D2.17]
5. How have you behaved in the past—to the gods, to your parents, to your siblings, spouse, children, teachers, tutors, friends, relatives, household? In all your dealings with them until now, can you fairly say that “Never a harsh word, never an injustice was delivered to a single person?” [Marcus Aurelius, M5.35]
6. If a man wishes to live in peace, let him not engage in many activities either privately or publicly. [Democritus in Seneca, T13]
7. Just observe the way you behave, and you will soon discover what your philosophy is. [Epictetus D2.18]
8. Soon you will be ashes or bones. Just a name, perhaps not even that. [Marcus Aurelius, M5.35]
9. Nothing happens to the wise that they did not expect. [Seneca, T13]
10. It is my ambition to secure you from restraint, compulsion, and obstruction, and to make you free, prosperous, and happy … You are here to learn and practice these things. [Epictetus, D2.19]
11. The things we desire in life are vanity, corruption, and trash. We are like scuffling puppies or quarrelling children—all smiles one moment and in tears the next. [Marcus Aurelius, M5.33]
12. The pain associated with unfulfilled desires is less severe if you are not confident things will turn out the way you expect. [Seneca, T13]
13. Set the past aside. Just begin. Trust me, you will see what I have been saying is true. [Epictetus D2.19]
14. Our senses are easily deceived. Our soul itself is mere vapour exhaled from blood. Fame in this world is worthless. [Marcus Aurelius, M5.33]
15. We must make ourselves more flexible and avoid becoming too attached to our current plans. [Seneca, T13]
16. A vine cannot behave like an olive tree or an olive tree like a vine. It is impossible. Neither can human beings lose their affections. [Epictetus, D2.20]
17. Do good to people. Bear and forbear. Remember that nothing belongs to you outside the bounds of your poor body. [Marcus Aurelius, M5.33]
18. We must adapt ourselves to whatever future may bring us without fearing a change in our purposes or in our life’s condition. [Seneca, T14]
19. We are surrounded by people who are so confused and so ignorant of what they are saying. [Epictetus, D2.21]
20. Be steady as you go forward. Keep the straight road in your thinking and doing. Your will flows smoothly. [Marcus Aurelius, M5.33]
21. We should not become indecisive, a vice entirely opposed to peace. [Seneca, T14]
22. First, cure cure your ulcers, stop the discharges, and calm your mind. Bring it to the school, free from distractions. Only then will you know how powerful reason can be. [Epictetus D2.21]
23. If something is not of your doing, nor caused by you and the community is not affected by it, why worry about it? [Marcus Aurelius, M5.34]
24. Stubbornness … involve anxiety and misery. Yet indecisiveness, which cannot control itself, is much harder to bear. [Seneca, T14]
25. Have no illusions, this is a universal law: Every creature is attached to nothing as strongly as to its own interest. Whatever appears to threaten its interest – be it brother, father, child, or lover – is hated, accused, and cursed. We are naturally disposed to favor our own interest. [Epictetus D2.22]
26. Don’t be taken in by your first impressions. Help those in need as far as you can. They deserve it. [Marcus Aurelius, M5.35]
27. The mind must withdraw into itself, away from external things. Let it confide, rejoice in itself, and admire its own works. [Seneca, T14]
28. Everyone moves towards what is “me” and “mine.” If you believe your interests are served by your body, it will dominate your life; if it is moral choice, then it is moral choice that will dominate; and if external things, then it is external things. You will be where your choices are. [Epictetus D2.22]
29. Who is fortunate? The person who gives himself the gifts of fortune: good character, good intentions, and good actions. [Marcus Aurelius, M5.35]
30. We gain nothing by getting rid of everything that causes sadness. [Seneca, T15]

Note: D: Discourses; M: Meditations;T: On Tranquility

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