Marcus Aurelius

To understand the true quality of people, you must look into their minds, and examine their pursuits and aversions.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.

Observe constantly that all things take place by change, and accustom thyself to consider that the nature of the Universe loves nothing so much as to change the things which are, and to make new things like them.

Nothing happens to any man that he is not formed by nature to bear.

The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.

Whatever the universal nature assigns to any man at any time is for the good of that man at that time.

Despise not death, but welcome it, for nature wills it like all else.

Death, like birth, is a secret of Nature.

Be content with what you are, and wish not change; nor dread your last day, nor long for it.

Loss is nothing else but change, and change is Nature's delight.

Anything in any way beautiful derives its beauty from itself and asks nothing beyond itself. Praise is no part of it, for nothing is made worse or better by praise.

Natural ability without education has more often raised a man to glory and virtue than education without natural ability.