most wretched is the condition of those who labour at engrossments that are not even their own, who regulate their sleep by that of another, their walk by the pace of another.
the possession of all things which come from without is slippery and insecure.
Among the difficult are patience, fortitude and perseverance, and among the easy are liberality, temperance and meekness.
But as long as we wander at random, not following any guide except the shouts and discordant clamours of those who invite us to proceed in different directions, our short life will be wasted in useless roamings
You will meet virtue in the temple, the market-place, the senate house, manning the walls, covered with dust, sunburnt, horny-handed: you will find pleasure skulking out of sight, seeking for shady nooks at the public baths, hot chambers, and places which dread the visits of the aedile, soft, effeminate, reeking of wine and perfumes, pale or perhaps painted and made up with cosmetics.
so he who pursues pleasure postpones everything to it, disregards that first essential, liberty, and sacrifices it to his belly; nor does he buy pleasure for himself, but sells himself to pleasure.
Yet men who are crucified hang from one single pole, but these who punish themselves are divided between as many crosses as they have lusts
Men deserve praise for engaging in profitable studies, even though they stop short of producing any results.