The collection / 593 fragments

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Passages, proverbs, and questions carried across the ages.

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01c. 150 AD

Do not let your head run upon that which is none of your own, but pick out some of the best of your circumstances, and consider how eagerly you would wish for them, were they not in your possession.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus / quote

02c. 150 AD

It is a great folly not to part with your own faults, which is possible, but to try instead to escape from other people’s faults, which is impossible.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus / quote

03c. 50 AD

Begin, therefore, with little things. Is it a little oil spilt or a little wine stolen? Say to yourself, this is the price paid for peace and tranquillity; and nothing is to be had for nothing. And when you call your servant, consider that it is possible he may not come at your call, or, if he does, that he may not do what you wish. But it is not at all desirable for him, and very undesirable for you, that it should be in his power to cause you any disturbance.

Epictetus / quote

04c. 150 AD

Such as are thy habitual thoughts, such also will be the character of thy mind, for the soul is dyed by the thoughts.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus / quote

05c. 32 AD

Read the philosophers, and learn how to make life happy; seeking useful precepts and brave and noble words which may become deeds.

Seneca / quote

06c. 50 AD

God has delivered yourself to your care, and says: “I had no fitter to trust than you.”

Epictetus / quote

07c. 83 AD

The finest culture comes from the study of men in their best moods.

Plutarch / quote

08c. 32 AD

There is no duty the fulfillment of which will not make you happier, nor any temptation for which there is no remedy.

Seneca / quote

09c. 32 AD

It is my custom every night to run all over the words and actions of the past day; for why should I fear the sight of my errors when I can admonish and forgive myself? I was a little too hot in such a dispute: my opinion might have been as well spared, for it gave offense, and did no good at all. The thing was true; but all truths are not to be spoken at all times.

Seneca / quote

10c. 150 AD

He is all truth in his words, and justice in his actions, and if the whole world should disbelieve his integrity, dispute his character, and question his happiness, he would neither take it ill in the least, nor turn aside from that path that leads to the aim of life, toward which he must move, pure, calm, well prepared—and with perfect resignation in his fate.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus / quote

11c. 32 AD

Many persons might have attained to wisdom had they not assumed that they already possessed it.

Seneca / quote

12c. 50 AD

If you always remember that in all you do in soul or body God stands by as a witness, in all your prayers and your actions you will not err; and you shall have God dwelling with you.

Epictetus / quote

13c. 150 AD

Begin the morning by saying to thyself, I shall meet this day with the busybody, the ungrateful, the arrogant, deceitful, envious, unsocial. All these things happen to them by reason of their ignorance of what is good and evil. But I who have seen the nature of the good that it is beautiful, and of the bad that it is ugly, can neither be injured by any of them—for no one can fix on me what is ugly—nor can I be angry with my neighbor, nor hate him. We are made for coöperation; to act against one another, that is contrary to nature; and it is acting against one another to be vexed and turn away.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus / quote

14c. 50 AD

Look up to God, and say, "Make use of me for the future as Thou wilt. I am of the same mind; I am equal with Thee. I refuse nothing which seems good to Thee. Lead me whither Thou wilt. Clothe me in whatever dress Thou wilt. Is it Thy will that I should be in a public or private condition; dwell here, or be banished; be poor or rich? Under all these circumstances I will make Thy defence to men. I will show what the nature of everything is."

Epictetus / quote

15c. 83 AD

Socrates thought that if all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap, whence every one must take an equal portion, most persons would be content to take their own and depart.

Plutarch / quote

16c. 353 BC

by doing just actions we come to be just

Aristotle / quote

Editorial context: A short extract from the linked translation of Aristotle's work. It is not offered as the exact English words of an ancient Greek speaker.

Meaning: Character is a practice, not a slogan

17c. 387 BC

the beginning is the most important part of any work

Plato / quote

Editorial context: Plato is the author of the dialogue; Socrates speaks in this passage. This is the wording of the identified translation, not an independently preserved transcript.

Meaning: Examine the ideas that form your starting point