Letters From A Stoic: Epistulae Morales AD Lucilium (Illustrated. Newly revised text. Includes Image Gallery + Audio): All Three Volumes

What man can you show me who places any value on his time, who reckons the worth of each day, who understands that he is dying daily? For we are mistaken when we look forward to death; the major portion of death has already passed. Whatever years be behind us are in death's hands.

but we should also be prepared, when reason, self-respect, and duty demand the sacrifice, to deliver it even to the flames.

"Contented poverty is an honourable estate."

And finally, the wise man regards the reason for all his actions, but not the results. The beginning is in our own power; fortune decides the issue, but I do not allow her to pass sentence upon myself. You may say: "But she can inflict a measure of suffering and of trouble." The highwayman does not pass sentence when he slays. Now

Evil can never grow so strong, and nobility of character can never be so plotted against, that the name of philosophy shall cease to be worshipful and sacred.

no shock of terror to the eye or to the ear. The other kind of evil comes, so to speak, in the form of a huge parade.

It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.

Do you ask what is the proper limit to wealth? It is, first, to have what is necessary, and, second, to have what is enough.

While we are postponing, life speeds by.

The primary indication, to my thinking, of a well-ordered mind is a man's ability to remain in one place and linger in his own company.