Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Quotes III

-In the morning when you rise unwillingly, let this thought be present: I am rising to the work of a human being.
-Show those qualities then that are altogether in your power: sincerity, gravity, endurance of labor, aversion to pleasure, contentment with you portion and with a simple life, benevolence, frankness, no love of superfluity, freedom from trifling magnanimity.
-A man when he has done a good act, does not call out for others to come and see, but he goes on to another act.
-Every part of me will be reduced by change into some part of the universe, and that again will change into another part of the universe, and so on forever.
-The soul is dyed by the thoughts.
-Nothing happens to any man that he is not formed by nature to bear.
-Things themselves cannot touch the soul, not in the least degree.
-Revere that which is best in the universe; revere that which is best in yourself.
-Think of the rapidity with which things pass by and disappear.
-Think of the universal substance, of which you have a very small portion; and of universal time, of which a short and indivisible interval has been assigned to you; and of that which is fixed by destiny and how small a part of it you are.
-Are you angry? What good will this anger do you?
-Show him his error, admonish him. For if he listens, you will cure him, and there is no need of anger.
-As you intend to live when you are gone, so it is in your power to live here. But if men do not permit you, then get away out of life, as if you were suffering no harm.
-And call to recollection both how many things you have passed through, and how many things you have been able to endure; and that the history of your life is now complete and your service is ended: and how many beautiful things you have seen: and how many pleasures and pains you have despised; and how many things called honorable you have spurned: and to how many ill-minded folks you have shown a kind disposition.
-Soon, very soon, you will be ashes or a skeleton, and either a name or not even a name; but name is sound and echo. And the things that are much valued in life are empty and rotten and trifling, and life little dogs biting one another, and little children quarrelling , laughing, and then straightaway weeping.
-You can pass your life in an equable flow of happiness if you can follow the right way and think and act in the right way. Tow things are common both to the soul of God and to the soul of man, and to the soul of every rational being: not to be hindered by another; and to seek the good in the disposition to justice and the practice of it, and in this to let your desire find its termination.