The quote database

Men are disturbed not by the things which happen, but by the opinions about the things

Does it seem to you so small and worthless a thing to be good and happy?

Seek not that the things which happen should happen as you wish; but wish the things which happen to be as they are, and you will have a tranquil flow of life

If a man is unhappy, remember that his unhappiness is his own fault; for God has made all men to be happy, to be free from perturbations.

Have you anything better or greater to see than the sun, the moon, the stars, the whole earth, the sea?

See that you do nothing like a sheep; but if you do, in this case also the man is lost.

Do not admire your clothes, and then you will not be angry with the thief.

Will you not go back, and you will see clearer when you have laid aside fear?

If I have set my admiration on the poor body, I have given myself up to be a slave; if on my poor possessions, I also make myself a slave.

Keep by every means what is your own; do not desire what belongs to others.

It is circumstances (difficulties) which show what men are.

Therefore when a difficulty falls upon you, remember that God, like a trainer of wrestlers, has matched you with a rough young man.

In my opinion no man has had a more profitable difficulty than you have had, if you choose to make use of it as an athlete would deal with a young antagonist.

Therefore we ought to exercise ourselves in small things, and beginning with them to proceed to the greater.

Bring now, O Zeus, any difficulty that thou pleasest, for I have means given to me by thee and powers for honoring myself through the things which happen.

Wretch, you are carrying about a god with you, and you know it not.

If you have assumed a character beyond your strength, you have both played a poor figure in that, and neglected one that is within your powers.

No man can rob us of our Will--no man can lord it over that!

I am by Nature made for my own good; not for my own evil.