To accuse others for one's own misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one's education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one's education is complete.
Not every difficult and dangerous thing is suitable for training, but only that which is conducive to success in achieving the object of our effort.
All religions must be tolerated... for every man must get to heaven in his own way.
Whoever does not regard what he has as most ample wealth, is unhappy, though he be master of the world.
Neither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope.
We should not moor a ship with one anchor, or our life with one hope.
Whenever you are angry, be assured that it is not only a present evil, but that you have increased a habit.
Nothing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig. I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.
If virtue promises happiness, prosperity and peace, then progress in virtue is progress in each of these for to whatever point the perfection of anything brings us, progress is always an approach toward it.
The world turns aside to let any man pass who knows where he is going.
Be careful to leave your sons well instructed rather than rich, for the hopes of the instructed are better than the wealth of the ignorant.
If evil be spoken of you and it be true, correct yourself, if it be a lie, laugh at it.
The two powers which in my opinion constitute a wise man are those of bearing and forbearing.
If you desire to be good, begin by believing that you are wicked.
No greater thing is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.
If one oversteps the bounds of moderation, the greatest pleasures cease to please.
The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.
You are a little soul carrying around a corpse.
You may be always victorious if you will never enter into any contest where the issue does not wholly depend upon yourself.
Never in any case say I have lost such a thing, but I have returned it. Is your child dead? It is a return. Is your wife dead? It is a return. Are you deprived of your estate? Is not this also a return?