Do not spend your thoughts upon other people, nor pry into the talk, fancies and projects of another, nor guess at what he is about, or why he is doing it.  Think upon nothing but what you could willingly tell about, so that if your soul were laid open there would appear nothing but what was sincere, good-natured, and public-spirited.  A man thus qualified is a sort of priest and minister of the gods, and makes a right use of the divinity within him.  Be cheerful; depend not at all on foreign supports, nor beg your happiness of another; don’t throw away your legs to stand upon crutches.

If, in the whole compass of human life, you find anything preferable to justice and truth, temperance and fortitude, or to a mind self-satisfied with its own rational conduct and entirely resigned to fate, then turn to it as to your supreme happiness.  But if there be nothing more valuable than the divinity within you, if all things are trifles in comparison with this, then don’t divide your allegiance.  Let your choice run all one way, and be resolute for that which is best.  As for other speculations, throw them once for all out of your hand.

BOOK IV

It is the custom of people to go to unfrequented places and to the seashore and to the hills for retirement; and you yourself have often wished this solitude.  But, after all, this is only a vulgar fancy, for it is in your power to withdraw into yourself whenever you have a mind to it.  One’s own heart is a place the most free from crowd and noise in the world if only one’s thoughts are serene and the mind well ordered.  Make, therefore, frequent use of this retirement, therein to refresh your virtue.  And to this end be always provided with a few short, uncontested notions, to keep your understanding true.  Do not forget to retire to this solitude of yours; let there be no straining or struggling in the matter, but move at ease.

If understanding be common to us all, then reason, its cause, must be common, too.  And so also must the reason which governs conduct by commands and prohibitions be common to us all.  Mankind is therefore under one common law, and so are fellow-citizens; and the whole world is but one commonwealth, for there is no other society in which mankind can be incorporated.

Do not suppose that you are hurt, and your complaint will cease.

If a man affronts you, do not defer to his opinion, or think just as he would have you do.  No; look upon things as reality presents them.  When incense is thrown upon the altar, one grain usually falls before another; but it matters not.

Adhere to the principles of wisdom, and those who now take you for a monkey or a beast will make a god of you in a week.

A thing is neither better nor worse for being praised.  Do virtues stand in need of a good word, or are they the worse for a bad one?  An emerald will shine none the less though its worth be not spoken of.