"Difficulties are things that show what men are."

Discourses. Chap. xxiv.

"If we are not stupid or insincere when we say that the good or ill of man lies within his own will, and that all beside is nothing to us, why are we still troubled?"

Discourses. Chap. xxv.

"In theory there is nothing to hinder our following what we are taught; but in life there are many things to draw us aside."

Discourses. Chap. xxvi.

"Appearances to the mind are of four kinds. Things either are what they appear to be; or they neither are, nor appear to be; or they are, and do not appear to be; or they are not, and yet appear to be. Rightly to aim in all these cases is the wise man's task."

Discourses. Chap. xxvii.

"The appearance of things to the mind is the standard of every action to man."

That we ought not to be angry with Mankind. Chap. xxviii.

"The essence of good and evil is a certain disposition of the will."

Of Courage. Chap. xxix.

"It is not reasonings that are wanted now; for there are books stuffed full of stoical reasonings."

Of Courage. Chap. xxix.

"For what constitutes a child?--Ignorance. What constitutes a child?--Want of instruction; for they are our equals so far as their degree of knowledge permits."

That Courage is not inconsistent with Caution. Book ii. Chap. i.

"Appear to know only this,--never to fail nor fall."

That Courage is not inconsistent with Caution. Book ii. Chap. i.

"The materials of action are variable, but the use we make of them should be constant."

How Nobleness of Mind may be consistent with Prudence. Chap. v.

"Shall I show you the muscular training of a philosopher? "What muscles are those?"--A will undisappointed; evils avoided; powers daily exercised; careful resolutions; unerring decisions."

Wherein consists the Essence of Good. Chap. viii.

"Dare to look up to God and say, "Make use of me for the future as Thou wilt. I am of the same mind; I am one with Thee. I refuse nothing which seems good to Thee. Lead me whither Thou wilt. Clothe me in whatever dress Thou wilt.""

That we do not study to make Use of the established Principles concerning Good and Evil. Chap. xvi.

"What is the first business of one who studies philosophy? To part with self-conceit. For it is impossible for any one to begin to learn what he thinks that he already knows."

How to apply general Principles to particular Cases. Chap. xvii.

"Every habit and faculty is preserved and increased by correspondent actions,--as the habit of walking, by walking; of running, by running."

How the Semblances of Things are to be combated. Chap. xviii.

"Whatever you would make habitual, practise it; and if you would not make a thing habitual, do not practise it, but habituate yourself to something else."

How the Semblances of Things are to be combated. Chap. xviii.

"Reckon the days in which you have not been angry. I used to be angry every day; now every other day; then every third and fourth day; and if you miss it so long as thirty days, offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God."

How the Semblances of Things are to be combated. Chap. xviii.

"Be not hurried away by excitement, but say, "Semblance, wait for me a little. Let me see what you are and what you represent. Let me try you.""

How the Semblances of Things are to be combated. Chap. xviii.

"Things true and evident must of necessity be recognized by those who would contradict them."

Concerning the Epicureans. Chap. xx.

"There are some things which men confess with ease, and others with difficulty."

Of Inconsistency. Chap. xxi.

"Who is there whom bright and agreeable children do not attract to play and creep and prattle with them?"

Concerning a Person whom he treated with Disregard. Chap. xxiv.

"Two rules we should always have ready,--that there is nothing good or evil save in the will; and that we are not to lead events, but to follow them."

In what Manner we ought to bear Sickness. Book iii. Chap. x.

"In every affair consider what precedes and what follows, and then undertake it."

That Everything is to be undertaken with Circumspection. Chap. xv.

"There is a fine circumstance connected with the character of a Cynic,--that he must be beaten like an ass, and yet when beaten must love those who beat him, as the father, as the brother of all."

Of the Cynic Philosophy. Chap. xxii.

"First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do."

Concerning such as read and dispute ostentatiously. Chap. xxiii.

"Let not another's disobedience to Nature become an ill to you; for you were not born to be depressed and unhappy with others, but to be happy with them. And if any is unhappy, remember that he is so for himself; for God made all men to enjoy felicity and peace."

That we ought not to be affected by Things not in our own Power. Chap. xxiv.

"Everything has two handles,--one by which it may be borne; another by which it cannot."

Enchiridion. xliii.

"The images of twenty of the most illustrious families--the Manlii, the Quinctii, and other names of equal splendour--were carried before it [the bier of Junia]. Those of Brutus and Cassius were not displayed; but for that very reason they shone with pre-eminent lustre."

Annales. iii. 76. 11.

"He had talents equal to business, and aspired no higher."

Annales. vi. 39, 17.

"He [Tiberius] upbraided Macro, in no obscure and indirect terms, "with forsaking the setting sun and turning to the rising.""

Annales. vi. 52 (46).

"He possessed a peculiar talent of producing effect in whatever he said or did."

Historiæ. ii. 80.

"Some might consider him as too fond of fame; for the desire of glory clings even to the best men longer than any other passion."

Historiæ. iv. 6.

"The gods looked with favour on superior courage."

Historiæ. iv. 17.

"They make solitude, which they call peace."

Agricola. 30.

"Think of your ancestors and your posterity."

Agricola. 32.

"It belongs to human nature to hate those you have injured."

Agricola. 42.

"Modestus said of Regulus that he was "the biggest rascal that walks upon two legs.""

Letters. Book i. Letter v. 14.

"There is nothing to write about, you say. Well, then, write and let me know just this,--that there is nothing to write about; or tell me in the good old style if you are well. That 's right. I am quite well."

Letters. Book i. Letter xi. 1.

"Never do a thing concerning the rectitude of which you are in doubt."

Letters. Book i. Letter xviii. 5.

"The living voice is that which sways the soul."

Letters. Book ii. Letter iii. 9.

"An object in possession seldom retains the same charm that it had in pursuit."

Letters. Book ii. Letter xv. 1.

"He [Pliny the Elder] used to say that "no book was so bad but some good might be got out of it.""

Letters. Book iii. Letter v. 10.

"This expression of ours, "Father of a family.""

Letters. Book v. Letter xix. 2.

"That indolent but agreeable condition of doing nothing."

Letters. Book viii. Letter ix. 3.

"Objects which are usually the motives of our travels by land and by sea are often overlooked and neglected if they lie under our eye. . . . We put off from time to time going and seeing what we know we have an opportunity of seeing when we please."

Letters. Book viii. Letter xx. 1.

"His only fault is that he has no fault."

Letters. Book ix. Letter xxvi. 1.

"This Being of mine, whatever it really is, consists of a little flesh, a little breath, and the part which governs."

Meditations. ii. 2.

"The ways of the gods are full of providence."

Meditations. ii. 3.

"Thou wilt find rest from vain fancies if thou doest every act in life as though it were thy last."

Meditations. ii. 5.

"Thou seest how few be the things, the which if a man has at his command his life flows gently on and is divine."

Meditations. ii. 5.

"Find time still to be learning somewhat good, and give up being desultory."

Meditations. ii. 7.