Golden Sayings   

doth secure it," quoth he, "and that is why I repine at being
deprived of it."--And what serenity is this that lies at the
mercy of every passer-by? I say not at the mercy of the Emperor
or Emperor's favorite, but such as trembles at a raven's croak
and piper's din, a fever's touch or a thousand things of like
sort! Whereas the life serene has no more certain mark than this,
that it ever moves with constant unimpeded flow.

CXLVI

If thou hast put malice and evil speaking from thee,
altogether, or in some degree: if thou hast put away from thee
rashness, foulness of tongue, intemperance, sluggishness: if thou
art not moved by what once moved thee, or in like manner as thou
once wert moved--then thou mayest celebrate a daily festival,
to-day because thou hast done well in this manner, to-morrow in
that. How much greater cause is here for offering sacrifice, than
if a man should become Consul or Prefect?

CXLVII

These things hast thou from thyself and from the Gods: only
remember who it is that giveth them--to whom and for what purpose
they were given. Feeding thy soul on thoughts like these, dost
thou debate in what place happiness awaits thee? in what place
thou shalt do God's pleasure? Are not the Gods nigh unto all
places alike; see they not alike what everywhere comes to pass?

CXLVIII

To each man God hath granted this inward freedom. These are
the principles that in a house create love, in a city concord,
among nations peace, teaching a man gratitude towards God and
cheerful confidence, wherever he may be, in dealing with outward
things that he knows are neither his nor worth striving after.

CXLIX

If you seek Truth, you will not seek to gain a victory by
every possible means; and when you have found Truth, you need not
fear being defeated.

CL

What foolish talk is this? how can I any longer lay claim to
right principles, if I am not content with being what I am, but
am all aflutter about what I am supposed to be?

CLI