-
The universe suffers by our annihilation
“It seems that the universe somehow suffers by our annihilation and that is has compassion for our state.” II. 13 “Of judging the death of others” (p. 556)
-
My trade and my art
“My trade and my art is living.” II6. “Of practice” (p.332)
-
Our good and our ill depend on ourselves alone
“Our good and our ill depend on ourselves alone. Let us offer our offerings and vows to ourselves, not to Fortune; she has no power over our character; on the contrary, it drags her in its train and mold her in its own form.” I.50 “Of Democritus and Heraclitus” (p. 267)
-
Reflecting upon the continual variation of human things
“I want to pile up here some ancient fashions that I have in my memory, some like ours, others different, to the end that we may strengthen and enlighten our judgment by reflecting upon this continual variation of human things.” I.49 “Of ancient customs” (p.262)
-
Life is neither good nor evil
“Life is neither good nor evil in itself: it is the scene of good and evil according as you give them room.” I.20 “That to philosophize is to learn to die” (p. 78)
-
Each man calls barbarism whatever
“I think there is nothing barbarous and savage in that nation . . . except that each man calls barbarism whatever is not his own practice; for indeed it seems we have no other test of truth and reason than the example and pattern of the opinions and customs of the country we live in.”…
-
The world as our mirror
“This great world, which some multiply further as being only a species under one genus, is the mirror in which we must look at ourselves to recognize ourselves from the proper angle. In short, I want it to be the book of my student.” I.26 “Of the education of children” (p. 141)