Discourses, Fragments, Handbook (Oxford World's Classics)

What is the fruit, then, of these teachings? Precisely what must be finest and most fitting for those who have received a true philosophical education, namely, peace of mind, fearlessness, and freedom.

‘our end lies in following the gods, and the essence of the good in the correct use of impressions’?

—‘We ought to hold to our decisions.’—What are you up to, man? Not to every decision, but to those that are justified.

‘Where things that lie outside the sphere of choice are concerned, there you should act with confidence, but when it comes to things within the sphere of choice, there you should act with caution’?

Have you been able even to help yourself? And yet you want to convert others to a good life. Have you even converted yourself? You want to be of benefit to them? [23] Show them through your own example what kind of men philosophy produces, and give up your empty talk! By the way in which you eat, bring benefit to those who eat with you, by the way

It is thus your role to step forward and say what you ought, and to deal with these things as they turn out.

the life of every one of us is a campaign, and a long one subject to varying circumstances. You must fulfil the role of a soldier and carry out every deed as your general bids,

I’ll show you the sinews of a philosopher. And what sinews are those? Desire that never fails in its aim, aversion that never falls into what it wants to avoid, motivation that accords with one’s duty, purpose that is carefully weighed, and assent that is not over-hasty. That is what you’ll see.

In each action that you undertake, consider what comes before and what follows after, and only then proceed to the action itself.

don’t do anything with a heavy heart or sense of affliction, thinking that you’re in a bad situation; for no one is forcing you to do that.